Updated Scoping Study Improves Project Economics

NEW YORK, Sept. 12, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Piedmont Lithium Limited (“Piedmont” or “Company”) is pleased to report the results of the Company’s updated Scoping Study for its vertically-integrated Piedmont Lithium Project (“Project”) located within the Carolina Tin-Spodumene Belt in North Carolina, USA (“TSB”).  The Project includes a lithium hydroxide chemical plant (“Chemical Plant”) supplied with spodumene concentrate from an open pit mine and concentrator (“Mine/Concentrator”)

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The Project has compelling projected economics due to attractive capital and operating costs, significant by-product credits, short transportation distances, minimal royalties and low corporate income taxes.

This updated Scoping Study incorporates the production of by-product quartz, feldspar and mica. The addition of these by-product credits to the Project’s economics are made possible by Piedmont’s location within the industrial heartland of the mid-Atlantic United States. The benefits which by-product credits convey onto the Project will ensure Piedmont’s highly competitive cost position within the growing lithium chemical industry.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Piedmont is pleased to report the results of the updated Scoping Study for its vertically integrated lithium hydroxide chemical project located in the Carolina Tin-Spodumene Belt in North Carolina, USA.  The updated Scoping Study includes a 22,700 tonne per year Chemical Plant supported by a Mine/Concentrator producing 170,000 tonnes per year (“tpy”) of 6% Li2O spodumene concentrate.  By-products quartz (99,000 tpy), feldspar (125,000 tpy), and mica (15,500 tpy) will provide credits to the cost of lithium production.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at
http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f0212fbe-6c31-45fc-967c-30a66531db00

  • Integrated project to produce 22,700 tonnes per year of lithium hydroxide
  • Initial 13-year mine life with 2 years of spodumene concentrate sales and 11 years of integrated operations
  • Staged development to minimise up-front capital requirements and equity dilution
    • Stage 1 initial capex of US$109mm for the Mine/Concentrator and by-product circuits (excluding contingency)
    • Stage 2 capex for Chemical Plant funded largely by internal cash flow
  • Estimated 1st quartile spodumene concentrate costs of US$193/t and lithium hydroxide costs of US$3,112/t, both net of by-product credits and inclusive of royalties
  • Conventional technology selection in all project aspects
  • Steady-state annual EBITDA of US$225-245mm and after-tax cash flow of US$180-190mm
  • Estimated NPV8% of US$888mm and after-tax IRR of 46% with ~2-year payback
  • Potential mine and project life extension provide the opportunity for further economic upside

The updated Scoping Study contemplates a staged development approach to minimise start-up risk and up-front capital requirements, with revenue from open-market spodumene concentrate and by-product sales in the Project’s initial years helping defray capital requirements for the Chemical Plant.

The Scoping Study demonstrates the compelling economics of the prospective integrated Project, highlighted by low operating costs, high after-tax margins and strong free cash flow.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at
http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7851956c-c0ee-47b8-8432-69d2645093e2

Click here to view the ASX announcement.

For further information, contact:

Keith D. Phillips
President & CEO                     
T: +1 973 809 0505                   
E: kphillips@piedmontlithium.com
      Anastasios (Taso) Arima
Executive Director
T: +1 347 899 1522
E: tarima@piedmontlithium.com


About Piedmont Lithium

Piedmont Lithium Limited (ASX: PLL; OTC-Nasdaq Intl: PLLLY) holds a 100% interest in the Piedmont Lithium Project (“Project”) located within the world-class Carolina Tin-Spodumene Belt (“TSB”) and along trend to the Hallman Beam and Kings Mountain mines, historically providing most of the western world’s lithium between the 1950s and the 1990s. The TSB has been described as one of the largest lithium provinces in the world and is located approximately 25 miles west of Charlotte, North Carolina. It is a premier location to be developing an integrated lithium business based on its favourable geology, proven metallurgy and easy access to infrastructure, power, R&D centres for lithium and battery storage, major high-tech population centres and downstream lithium processing facilities.

The Project was originally explored by Lithium Corporation of America which eventually was acquired by FMC Corporation (“FMC”). FMC and Albemarle Corporation (“Albemarle”) both historically mined the lithium bearing spodumene pegmatites within the TSB and developed and continue to operate the two world-class lithium processing facilities in the region which were the first modern spodumene processing facilities in the western world. The Company is in a unique position to leverage its position as a first mover in restarting exploration in this historic lithium producing region with the aim of developing a strategic, U.S. domestic source of lithium to supply the increasing electric vehicle and battery storage markets.

Piedmont, through its 100% owned U.S. subsidiary, Piedmont Lithium Inc., has entered into exclusive option agreements and land acquisition agreements with local landowners, which upon exercise, allow the Company to purchase (or in some cases long-term lease) approximately 1,199 acres of surface property and the associated mineral rights.

 

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By-Product Mineral Resource Estimates

  • By-Product Mineral Resource estimates completed for quartz, feldspar and mica
  • By-Product Mineral Resources are wholly-contained within existing Mineral Resource model
  • Previously announced metallurgical testwork demonstrates commercial value of by-products
  • Scoping Study update to include by-products due within Q3 2018 

NEW YORK, Sept. 05, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Piedmont Lithium Limited (“Piedmont” or “Company”) is pleased to announce Mineral Resource estimates for by-product quartz, feldspar and mica mineral products from the spodumene bearing pegmatite on its Core Property.  These Mineral Resource estimates are based on the same geologic model that resulted in a maiden Mineral Resource estimate for lithium of 16.2 Mt @ 1.12% Li2O which was previously announced on June 14, 2018.

By-Product Mineral Resource estimates were based on normative mineralogy compositions for 2,289 samples in 231 drill holes previously analysed for lithium. The results are shown in Table 1.  The Mineral Resource estimates have been prepared by independent consultants, CSA Global Pty Ltd (“CSA Global”) and are reported in accordance with the JORC Code (2012 Edition).

Table 1:  Mineral Resource Estimates for By-Products – Piedmont Lithium Project
Category Tonnes
(Mt)
Quartz Feldspar Mica
Grade
(%)
Tonnes
(Mt)
Grade
(%)
Tonnes
(Mt)
Grade
(%)
Tonnes
(Mt)
Indicated 8.50 30.3 2.57 43.5 3.69 4.4 0.38
Inferred 7.69 30.0 2.31 44.4 3.41 4.5 0.34
Total 16.19 30.1 4.88 43.9 7.11 4.5 0.72

The industrial minerals represented by Piedmont’s by-product Mineral Resource Estimates are fundamental inputs for regional industries that Piedmont can economically service given its location in the heart of the Mid-Atlantic industrial corridor.  Piedmont is now updating the Scoping Study released on July 18, 2018 to reflect the production of by-product quartz, feldspar and mica, and expects to release this update within the coming days.

Keith D. Phillips, President and Chief Executive Officer, said, “Having confirmed a flow sheet to recover by-product quartz, feldspar and mica, we have now demonstrated a large-scale resource for each. We look forward to releasing an amended Scoping Study in the next several weeks and expect the update to further highlight the important advantages of our unique location.”

Click here to view the ASX announcement.

For further information, contact:  
   
Keith D. Phillips Anastasios (Taso) Arima
President & CEO Executive Director
T: +1 973 809 0505 T: +1 347 899 1522
E: kphillips@piedmontlithium.com E: tarima@piedmontlithium.com

About Piedmont Lithium

Piedmont Lithium Limited (ASX: PLL; Nasdaq: PLLL) holds a 100% interest in the Piedmont Lithium Project (“Project”) located within the world-class Carolina Tin-Spodumene Belt (“TSB”) and along trend to the Hallman Beam and Kings Mountain mines, historically providing most of the western world’s lithium between the 1950s and the 1980s. The TSB has been described as one of the largest lithium provinces in the world and is located approximately 25 miles west of Charlotte, North Carolina. It is a premier location to be developing and integrated lithium business based on its favourable geology, proven metallurgy and easy access to infrastructure, power, R&D centres for lithium and battery storage, major high-tech population centres and downstream lithium processing facilities.

Forward Looking Statements

This announcement may include forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on Piedmont’s expectations and beliefs concerning future events. Forward looking statements are necessarily subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside the control of Piedmont, which could cause actual results to differ materially from such statements. Piedmont makes no undertaking to subsequently update or revise the forward-looking statements made in this announcement, to reflect the circumstances or events after the date of that announcement.

Competent Persons Statement

The information in this report that relates to By-Product Mineral Resources is based on, and fairly represents, information compiled or reviewed by Mr. Leon McGarry, a Competent Person who is a Professional Geoscientist (P.Geo.) and registered member of the ‘Association of Professional Geoscientists of Ontario’ (APGO no. 2348), a ‘Recognized Professional Organization’ (RPO). Mr. McGarry is a Senior Resource Geologist and full-time employee at CSA Global Geoscience Canada Ltd. Mr. McGarry has sufficient experience which is relevant to the style of mineralization and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity which he is undertaking to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2012 Edition of the ‘Australasian Code for Reporting of Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves’. Mr. McGarry consents to the inclusion in this report of the results of the matters based on his information in the form and context in which it appears.

The information in this announcement that relates to By-Product Metallurgical Testwork Results is extracted from the Company’s ASX announcement dated September 4, 2018 which is available to view on the Company’s website at www.piedmontlithium.com. The information in the original ASX announcement that related to By-Product Metallurgical Testwork Results was based on, and fairly represents, information compiled or reviewed by Dr. Hamid Akbari, a Competent Person who is a Registered Member of the ‘Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration’, a ‘Recognized Professional Organization’ (RPO). Dr. Akbari is a consultant to the Company. Dr. Akbari has sufficient experience that is relevant to the style of mineralization and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity being undertaken to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2012 Edition of the ‘Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves’.

The information in this announcement that relates to Lithium Mineral Resources is extracted from the Company’s ASX announcement dated June 14, 2018 which is available to view on the Company’s website at www.piedmontlithium.com. The information in the original ASX announcement that related to Lithium Mineral Resources was based on, and fairly represents, information compiled by Mr Leon McGarry, a Competent Person who is a Professional Geoscientist (P.Geo.) and registered member of the ‘Association of Professional Geoscientists of Ontario’ (APGO no. 2348), a ‘Recognized Professional Organization’ (RPO). Mr McGarry is a Senior Resource Geologist and full-time employee at CSA Global Geoscience Canada Ltd. Mr McGarry has sufficient experience which is relevant to the style of mineralization and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity which he is undertaking to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2012 Edition of the ‘Australasian Code for Reporting of Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves’. 

Piedmont confirms that: a) it is not aware of any new information or data that materially affects the information included in the original ASX announcements; b) all material assumptions and technical parameters underpinning Mineral Resources, Exploration Targets, Production Targets, and related forecast financial information derived from Production Targets included in the original ASX announcements continue to apply and have not materially changed; and c) the form and context in which the relevant Competent Persons’ findings are presented in this report have not been materially modified from the original ASX announcements.

Cautionary Note to United States Investors Concerning Estimates of Measured, Indicated and Inferred Mineral Resources

The information contained herein has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the securities laws in effect in Australia, which differ from the requirements of United States securities laws. The terms “mineral resource”, “measured mineral resource”, “indicated mineral resource” and “inferred mineral resource” are Australian mining terms defined in accordance with the 2012 Edition of the Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves (the “JORC Code”).  However, these terms are not defined in Industry Guide 7 (“SEC Industry Guide 7”) under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “U.S. Securities Act”), and are normally not permitted to be used in reports and filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Accordingly, information contained herein that describes Piedmont’s mineral deposits may not be comparable to similar information made public by U.S. companies subject to reporting and disclosure requirements under the U.S. federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder. U.S. investors are urged to consider closely the disclosure in Piedmont’s Form 20-F, a copy of which may be obtained from Piedmont or from the EDGAR system on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov/.

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Piedmont Produces Quartz, Feldspar and Mica in Bench-Scale as By-Products of Spodumene Concentrate

  • Quartz, feldspar and mica produced in bench-scale indicate potential saleable by-products
  • Concentrate samples sent to potential off-take partners
  • Scoping Study update including by-product credits scheduled for completion later this month 

NEW YORK, Sept. 03, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Piedmont Lithium Limited (“Piedmont” or “Company”) is pleased to report that the Company has completed a bench-scale metallurgical testwork program to produce quartz, feldspar and mica as by-products of spodumene concentrate from the Company’s proposed vertically-integrated Piedmont Lithium Project located in North Carolina, USA.

Piedmont has partnered with North Carolina State University’s Minerals Research Laboratory (“MRL”) to complete bench-scale testwork to produce quartz, feldspar, and mica concentrates from spodumene flotation tailings.

Initial results demonstrate commercial potential for each by-product, and the Company has delivered bench-scale samples of feldspar and mica concentrates to potential offtake partners for further testing.  Piedmont has opened confidential discussions with several parties for offtake of all three by-products.

The Company is currently completing a Mineral Resource Estimate for each by-product based on the geological model used to determine the Company’s maiden Mineral Resource Estimate announced in June 2018.  Announcement of the by-product Mineral Resource Estimates is expected in the coming days.

Piedmont is preparing an updated Scoping Study including by-product concentrates.  This update is expected later this month.

Keith D. Phillips, President and Chief Executive Officer, said, “Historically, a significant portion of the revenue from the local lithium mines was derived from by-product quartz, feldspar and mica.  The metallurgical results covered in this release demonstrate Piedmont’s ability to recover these minerals through flotation, and we expect later this month to be in a position to quantify the impact of these by-products on the economics of our integrated lithium project.”

Click here to view the ASX announcement

For further information, contact:

Keith D. Phillips     Anastasios (Taso) Arima       
President & CEO          Executive Director       
T: +1 973 809 0505      T: +1 347 899 1522      
E: kphillips@piedmontlithium.com      E: tarima@piedmontlithium.com       
             

About Piedmont Lithium

Piedmont Lithium Limited (ASX: PLL; Nasdaq: PLLL) holds a 100% interest in the Piedmont Lithium Project (“Project”) located within the world-class Carolina Tin-Spodumene Belt (“TSB”) and along trend to the Hallman Beam and Kings Mountain mines, historically providing most of the western world’s lithium between the 1950s and the 1980s.  The TSB has been described as one of the largest lithium provinces in the world and is located approximately 25 miles west of Charlotte, North Carolina.  It is a premier location to be developing and integrated lithium business based on its favourable geology, proven metallurgy and easy access to infrastructure, power, R&D centres for lithium and battery storage, major high-tech population centres and downstream lithium processing facilities.

Forward Looking Statements

This announcement may include forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on Piedmont’s expectations and beliefs concerning future events. Forward looking statements are necessarily subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside the control of Piedmont, which could cause actual results to differ materially from such statements. Piedmont makes no undertaking to subsequently update or revise the forward-looking statements made in this announcement, to reflect the circumstances or events after the date of that announcement.

Cautionary Note to United States Investors Concerning Estimates of Measured, Indicated and Inferred Resources

The information contained herein has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the securities laws in effect in Australia, which differ from the requirements of United States securities laws. The terms “mineral resource”, “measured mineral resource”, “indicated mineral resource” and “inferred mineral resource” are Australian mining terms defined in accordance with the 2012 Edition of the Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves (the “JORC Code”).  However, these terms are not defined in Industry Guide 7 (“SEC Industry Guide 7”) under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “U.S. Securities Act”), and are normally not permitted to be used in reports and filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Investors are cautioned not to assume that any part or all of the mineral deposits in these categories will ever be converted into reserves. “Inferred mineral resources” have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence and as to their economic and legal feasibility. It cannot be assumed that all or any part of an inferred mineral resource will ever be upgraded to a higher category. Under Australian rules, estimates of inferred mineral resources may not form the basis of feasibility or pre-feasibility studies, except in rare cases. Investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of an inferred mineral resource exists or is economically or legally mineable. Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. Disclosure of “contained lithium oxide” or “lithium carbonate equivalent in a resource is permitted disclosure under Australian regulations; however, the SEC normally only permits issuers to report mineralization that does not constitute “reserves” by SEC standards as in place tonnage and grade without reference to unit measures. Accordingly, information contained herein that describes Piedmont’s mineral deposits may not be comparable to similar information made public by U.S. companies subject to reporting and disclosure requirements under the U.S. federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder. U.S. investors are urged to consider closely the disclosure in Piedmont’s Form 20-F, a copy of which may be obtained from Piedmont or from the EDGAR system on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov/.”

Competent Persons Statement

The information in this announcement that relates to Metallurgical Testwork Results is based on, and fairly represents, information compiled or reviewed by Dr. Hamid Akbari, a Competent Person who is a Registered Member of the ‘Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration’, a ‘Recognized Professional Organization’ (RPO). Dr. Akbari is a consultant to the Company. Dr. Akbari has sufficient experience that is relevant to the style of mineralization and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity being undertaken to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2012 Edition of the ‘Australasian Code for Reporting of Metallurgical Results. Dr. Akbari consents to the inclusion in the report of the matters based on his information in the form and context in which it appears.

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Drilling Update and Final Holes Reported for the Phase 3 Drilling on the Core Property

  • Piedmont has received assay results from the final 15 drill holes of the Phase 3 drilling campaign on its Core property, showing high-grade mineralisation including: 

    • 15.8m of cumulative thickness of mineralization (non-continuous) across 4 pegmatites which includes high grade intercepts of 8.2m @ 1.91% Li2O, 3.2m @1.25 Li2O and 2.8m @1.05 Li2O in Hole 18-BD-236
    • 21.3m of cumulative thickness of mineralization (non-continuous) across 6 dikes which includes high grade intercepts of 6.0m @1.31%Li2O and 7.45m 1.04% Li2O in Hole 18-BD-237
    • 18.5m of cumulative thickness of mineralization (non-continuous) across 3 pegmatites which includes high grade intercepts of 13.0m @ 1.06% Li2O and 4.4m @1.11 Li2O in Hole 18-BD-238
  • Most of the holes are from outside the maiden Mineral Resource estimate of 16.2Mt at 1.12% Li2O, reported in June 2018, confirming upside potential for the resource.
  • Seven holes completed at our Sunnyside Property, totalling 911 meters, with assays pending.
  • Two of the three planned holes completed at our Central Property, with assays pending.

NEW YORK, Aug. 22, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —  Piedmont Lithium Limited (“Piedmont” or “Company”) is pleased to advise that the Company has now received all assays results from the Phase 3 drilling campaign on its Core property in the Carolina Tin-Spodumene Belt (“TSB“) in North Carolina, United States. The final 15 holes reported in this release will complete the Phase 3 campaign, totalling 124 holes and 21,360 meters, on our Core property.

The 15 holes reported were not used in the maiden Mineral Resource estimate of 16.2 Mt at 1.12% Li2O (refer ASX announced dated June 14, 2018).  The majority of the 15 holes occur outside of the resource boundary and confirm upside potential for our Project.

Assay results from the initial drilling on the Sunnyside and Central properties are pending and results are expected to be announced in the month of September.

Keith D. Phillips, President and Chief Executive Officer, said, “These results demonstrate the potential to expand the resource on our Core property, and we are optimistic that the Sunnyside and Central properties hold significant potential as well.  Our Scoping Study demonstrated the strong economics of a 13-year project based on our current resource, and we believe future drilling may extend the project life and enhance the project economics as well as the strategic value of this unique American resource.”

Click here to view the ASX announcement

For further information, contact:

Keith D. Phillips                                 
President & CEO                               
T: +1 973 809 0505                              
E: kphillips@piedmontlithium.com   

Anastasios (Taso) Arima
Executive Director
T: +1 347 899 1522
E: tarima@piedmontlithium.com    

About Piedmont Lithium

Piedmont Lithium Limited (ASX: PLL; OTC-Nasdaq Intl: PLLLY) holds a 100% interest in the Piedmont Lithium Project (“Project”) located within the world-class Carolina Tin-Spodumene Belt (“TSB”) and along trend to the Hallman Beam and Kings Mountain mines, historically providing most of the western world’s lithium between the 1950s and the 1990s. The TSB has been described as one of the largest lithium provinces in the world and is located approximately 25 miles west of Charlotte, North Carolina. It is a premier location to be developing and integrated lithium business based on its favourable geology, proven metallurgy and easy access to infrastructure, power, R&D centres for lithium and battery storage, major high-tech population centres and downstream lithium processing facilities.

The Project was originally explored by Lithium Corporation of America which eventually was acquired by FMC Corporation (“FMC”). FMC and Albemarle Corporation (“Albemarle”) both historically mined the lithium bearing spodumene pegmatites within the TSB and developed and continue to operate the two world-class lithium processing facilities in the region which were the first modern spodumene processing facilities in the western world. The Company is in a unique position to leverage its position as a first mover in restarting exploration in this historic lithium producing region with the aim of developing a strategic, U.S. domestic source of lithium to supply the increasing electric vehicle and battery storage markets.

Piedmont, through its 100% owned U.S. subsidiary, Piedmont Lithium Inc., has entered into exclusive option agreements and land acquisition agreements with local landowners, which upon exercise, allow the Company to purchase (or in some cases long-term lease) approximately 1,199 acres of surface property and the associated mineral rights.

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Drilling Update and Final Holes Reported for the Phase 3 Drilling on the Core Property

Drilling Update and Final Holes Reported for the Phase 3 Drilling on the Core Property

Piedmont Strengthens US-Based Board

NEW YORK, July 31, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Piedmont Lithium Limited (“Piedmont” or “Company”) is pleased to announce the appointment of Jeff Armstrong to the Board of Directors as an Independent Non-Executive Director, effective from today. Following Mr. Armstrong’s appointment, Mark Pearce will step down from his Non-Executive Director position, also effective today.  

Mr. Armstrong resides in Charlotte, North Carolina where he is actively engaged in the community and has extensive relationships with major corporations and entrepreneurs alike.  He serves as CEO and Managing Partner of North Inlet Advisors, LLC, a firm providing strategic and financial advice to companies on capital formation, mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, restructurings, and other corporate transactions. 

Mr. Armstrong was previously a senior leader in what is now Wells Fargo’s Investment Bank for nearly a decade, where his leadership roles included the Head of Corporate Finance, Mergers and Acquisitions, Private Equity Coverage and Leveraged Capital groups. Mr. Armstrong also worked as an investment banker for Citigroup from 1994 to 1999, and for Morgan Stanley from 1987 to 1994.

Mr. Armstrong graduated from the University of Virginia with a B.S. in finance and marketing from the McIntire School of Commerce and an MBA from the Darden School of Business.

Keith D. Phillips, President and Chief Executive Officer, said: “Jeff is an outstanding addition to our Board and will add valuable experience and extend our relationships in North Carolina. We are pleased to have another U.S.-based independent director, and I look forward to working closely with him. In addition, on behalf of the Board, I would like to thank Mark for his substantial contribution in progressing Piedmont into a dual-listed U.S. lithium development company with plans to provide a new U.S. domestic source of lithium to supply the increasing electric vehicle and battery storage markets.”

For further information, contact:

     
Keith D. Phillips   Anastasios (Taso) Arima
President & CEO   Executive Director
T: +1 973 809 0505   T: +1 347 899 1522
E: kphillips@piedmontlithium.com   E: tarima@piedmontlithium.com
     

About Piedmont Lithium

Piedmont Lithium Limited (ASX: PLL; OTC-Nasdaq Intl: PLLLY) holds a 100% interest in the Piedmont Lithium Project (“Project”) located within the world-class Carolina Tin-Spodumene Belt (“TSB”) and along trend to the Hallman Beam and Kings Mountain mines, historically providing most of the western world’s lithium between the 1950s and the 1990s. The TSB has been described as one of the largest lithium provinces in the world and is located approximately 25 miles west of Charlotte, North Carolina. It is a premier location to be developing and integrated lithium business based on its favourable geology, proven metallurgy and easy access to infrastructure, power, R&D centres for lithium and battery storage, major high-tech population centres and downstream lithium processing facilities.

The Project was originally explored by Lithium Corporation of America which eventually was acquired by FMC Corporation (“FMC”). FMC and Albemarle Corporation (“Albemarle”) both historically mined the lithium bearing spodumene pegmatites within the TSB and developed and continue to operate the two world-class lithium processing facilities in the region which were the first modern spodumene processing facilities in the western world. The Company is in a unique position to leverage its position as a first mover in restarting exploration in this historic lithium producing region with the aim of developing a strategic, U.S. domestic source of lithium to supply the increasing electric vehicle and battery storage markets.

Piedmont, through its 100% owned U.S. subsidiary, Piedmont Lithium Inc., has entered into exclusive option agreements and land acquisition agreements with local landowners, which upon exercise, allow the Company to purchase (or in some cases long-term lease) approximately 1,199 acres of surface property and the associated mineral rights.

Scoping Study Delivers Outstanding Results

NEW YORK, July 18, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Piedmont Lithium Limited (“Piedmont” or “Company”) (ASX:PLL) (NASDAQ:PLLL) is pleased to report the results of the Company’s Scoping Study for its vertically-integrated Piedmont Lithium Project (“Project”) located within the Carolina Tin-Spodumene Belt in North Carolina, USA (“TSB”).  The Project includes a lithium hydroxide chemical plant (“Chemical Plant”) supplied with spodumene concentrate from an open pit mine and concentrator (“Mine/Concentrator”).

Scoping Study Results
Infographic 1
Scoping Study Results
Infographic 2
Lithium hydroxide 2018 cost curve
Figure 1 – Lithium hydroxide 2018 cost curve (Source – Roskill)
Free Cash Flow on LiOH Production (US$/t LiOH)
Figure 2 – After tax free cash flow on lithium hydroxide sales during life-of-mine operations

The Project has compelling projected economics due to low initial capital, early spodumene concentrate sales, attractive capital and operating costs, short transportation distances, minimal royalties and low corporate income taxes.  The Project meets an important strategic need for domestic US lithium production and will confer substantial economic benefits on the local region.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Piedmont is pleased to report the results of the Scoping Study for its vertically integrated lithium hydroxide chemical project located in the Carolina Tin-Spodumene Belt in North Carolina, USA.  The Scoping Study includes a 22,700 tonne per year Chemical Plant supported by a Mine/Concentrator producing 170,000 tonnes per year of 6% Li2O low-iron spodumene concentrate.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9609f3b0-a695-4403-85bd-1cf8e3ab24e7

  • Integrated project to produce 22,700 tonnes per year of lithium hydroxide
  • Initial 13-year mine life with 2 years of concentrate sales and 11 years of integrated operation
  • Staged development to minimise up-front capital requirements and equity dilution
    • Stage 1 initial capex of US$91mm for the Mine/Concentrator (excluding contingency)
    • Stage 2 capex for Chemical Plant funded largely by internal cash flow
  • Estimated 1st quartile lithium hydroxide operating costs of US$3,960/t
  • Conventional technology selection in all project aspects
  • Steady state EBITDA of US$220mm annually with steady-state after-tax cash flow of US$170-180mm
  • Estimated after-tax IRR of 56% and NPV8% of US$777mm, with ~2-year payback
  • Upside opportunities include project life extension and by-product monetisation

The Scoping Study contemplates a staged development approach to minimise start-up risk and up-front capital requirements, with revenue from open-market spodumene concentrate sales in the Project’s initial years helping defray capital requirements for the Chemical Plant.

The Scoping Study demonstrates the compelling economics of the prospective integrated Project, highlighted by low operating costs, high after-tax margins and strong free cash flow.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b6ae2f60-3df5-4a34-9cff-dcf36e7a3ea0

First-Quartile Operating Costs

The integrated Piedmont project is projected to have an average life of project cash operating cost of approximately US$3,960 per tonne, positioning Piedmont as the industry’s lowest-cost producer as reflected in the 2018 lithium hydroxide cost curve provided by Roskill in Figure 1.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/58ef51fd-b275-448f-8473-e2371c46c912

Attractive After-Tax Margins and Free Cash Flow

Low operating costs, low royalties, and low corporate tax rates potentially allow Piedmont to achieve after-tax margins approaching US$8,900 per tonne, or approximately 64%.  The Project generates an estimated US$8,650 per tonne of free cash flow during life-of-mine operations after construction of the Chemical Plant.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/0b4cb6fd-7c83-4b56-8c1c-5ed33f98b2ff

Staged Development Approach Minimises Equity Dilution

The Scoping Study contemplates a staged development approach to minimise start-up risk and up-front capital requirements, with revenue from open-market sales of spodumene concentrate in the Project’s initial years helping defray capital requirements for the Chemical Plant. After-tax free cash flow of approximately US$128 million is expected to be generated prior to the construction of the Chemical Plant, and an additional US$108 million of operating cash flow from concentrate sales is expected to be generated during the Chemical Plant’s ramp-up.

The establishment of positive cash flow from spodumene concentrate sales will position Piedmont to attract financing on terms not available to greenfield developments, including access to the US corporate bond market.  This is expected to lead to lower costs of capital when financing the Chemical Plant, and to allow Piedmont to minimise equity dilution to the Company’s shareholders.

Conclusions and Next Steps

The Scoping Study demonstrates the integrated Project’s strong commercial potential, centred on very low operating and capital costs, and the staged development puts Piedmont in a strong position to engage in discussions around future financing of the Project, including with prospective strategic and off-take partners.

Piedmont will now move forward with a Pre-Feasibility Study (“PFS”) targeted for completion early in 2019.  The Company will undertake the following work in developing the PFS:

  • A previously announced By-product Study to examine the potential to enhance Project economics through the recovery and monetisation of by-product quartz, feldspar and mica
  • Additional drilling on the Core property to potentially extend mine and project life by converting the previously announced current Exploration Target into a Mineral Resource
  • Metallurgical studies including the evaluation of the potential for a Dense Medium Separation (“DMS”) before the flotation circuit to further enhance operating costs in the Concentrator
  • Continued expansion of the Company’s land position in the TSB with a focus on areas of high mineral prospectivity

Keith D. Phillips, President and Chief Executive Officer, said, “We are very pleased with the results of the Scoping Study. The economic benefit of developing an integrated lithium chemical business in North Carolina, USA is now clear, driven by the exceptional infrastructure and human resource advantages of our location, as well as the competitive royalty and tax regime offered in the United States. We look forward to an exciting period ahead as we work to enhance the Project even further through continued growth in our resource base and project life, and the evaluation of potential by-product credits”.

Click here to view the full ASX announcement

For further information, contact:

Keith D. Phillips
President & CEO
+1 973 809 0505
kphillips@piedmontlithium.com

Anastasios (Taso) Arima
Executive Director
+1 347 899 1522
tarima@piedmontlithium.com

About Piedmont Lithium
Piedmont Lithium Limited (ASX:PLL) (OTC-Nasdaq Intl:PLLLY) holds a 100% interest in the Piedmont Lithium Project (“Project”) located within the world-class Carolina Tin-Spodumene Belt (“TSB”) and along trend to the Hallman Beam and Kings Mountain mines, historically providing most of the western world’s lithium between the 1950s and the 1990s. The TSB has been described as one of the largest lithium provinces in the world and is located approximately 25 miles west of Charlotte, North Carolina. It is a premier location to be developing and integrated lithium business based on its favourable geology, proven metallurgy and easy access to infrastructure, power, R&D centres for lithium and battery storage, major high-tech population centres and downstream lithium processing facilities.

The Project was originally explored by Lithium Corporation of America which eventually was acquired by FMC Corporation (“FMC”). FMC and Albemarle Corporation (“Albemarle”) both historically mined the lithium bearing spodumene pegmatites within the TSB and developed and continue to operate the two world-class lithium processing facilities in the region which were the first modern spodumene processing facilities in the western world. The Company is in a unique position to leverage its position as a first mover in restarting exploration in this historic lithium producing region with the aim of developing a strategic, U.S. domestic source of lithium to supply the increasing electric vehicle and battery storage markets.

Piedmont, through its 100% owned U.S. subsidiary, Piedmont Lithium Inc., has entered into exclusive option agreements and land acquisition agreements with local landowners, which upon exercise, allow the Company to purchase (or in some cases long-term lease) approximately 1,199 acres of surface property and the associated mineral rights.

Piedmont Completes Bench-Scale Testwork Program To Produce Spodumene Concentrate

  • Optimized flotation and magnetic separation results achieved consistent high-grade spodumene concentrates (Li2O>6.0%) with low iron content (Fe2O3<1%)
     
  • Heavy Liquid Separation results offer opportunity for a potential Dense Medium Separation circuit prior to flotation
     
  • Ore sorting and initial pilot scale testwork scheduled for Q3 2018

NEW YORK, July 17, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Piedmont Lithium Limited (“Piedmont” or “Company”) (ASX:PLL) (NASDAQ:PLLL) is pleased to report that the Company has completed a bench-scale metallurgical testwork program to produce spodumene concentrate from ore samples from the Company’s proposed vertically-integrated Piedmont Lithium Project located in North Carolina, USA.

Piedmont has partnered with North Carolina State University’s Minerals Research Laboratory (MRL) to complete bench-scale testwork including spodumene flotation optimization, magnetic separation to remove iron from spodumene concentrate and Heavy Liquid Separation (HLS) to evaluate the potential for a Dense Medium Separation (DMS) circuit.

The completed testwork program confirms the interim flotation and magnetic separation results which the Company published in April 2018 with additional testwork on four composited samples collected from multiple exploration corridors within the Project’s core property.

Click here to view the full ASX announcement

For further information, contact:

Keith D. Phillips
President & CEO
+1 973 809 0505
kphillips@piedmontlithium.com

Anastasios (Taso) Arima
Executive Director
+1 347 899 1522
tarima@piedmontlithium.com

About Piedmont Lithium
Piedmont Lithium Limited (ASX:PLL) (OTC-Nasdaq Intl:PLLLY) holds a 100% interest in the Piedmont Lithium Project (“Project”) located within the world-class Carolina Tin-Spodumene Belt (“TSB”) and along trend to the Hallman Beam and Kings Mountain mines, historically providing most of the western world’s lithium between the 1950s and the 1990s. The TSB has been described as one of the largest lithium provinces in the world and is located approximately 25 miles west of Charlotte, North Carolina. It is a premier location to be developing and integrated lithium business based on its favourable geology, proven metallurgy and easy access to infrastructure, power, R&D centres for lithium and battery storage, major high-tech population centres and downstream lithium processing facilities.

The Project was originally explored by Lithium Corporation of America which eventually was acquired by FMC Corporation (“FMC”). FMC and Albemarle Corporation (“Albemarle”) both historically mined the lithium bearing spodumene pegmatites within the TSB and developed and continue to operate the two world-class lithium processing facilities in the region which were the first modern spodumene processing facilities in the western world. The Company is in a unique position to leverage its position as a first mover in restarting exploration in this historic lithium producing region with the aim of developing a strategic, U.S. domestic source of lithium to supply the increasing electric vehicle and battery storage markets.

Piedmont, through its 100% owned U.S. subsidiary, Piedmont Lithium Inc., has entered into exclusive option agreements and land acquisition agreements with local landowners, which upon exercise, allow the Company to purchase (or in some cases long-term lease) approximately 1,199 acres of surface property and the associated mineral rights.

Piedmont Secures Site For Lithium Chemical Plant

NEW YORK, July 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ —

  • Acquisition of Heavy-Industrial zoned property in Kings Mountain, North Carolina
  • Short truck haul from proposed mine and concentrator sites
  • Immediate access to major rail, power, gas, and highway infrastructure
  • Permitting activity for lithium chemical plant expected to commence in Q3 2018
  • Site acquisition advances vertically-integrated lithium chemicals production strategy
  • Lithium chemical plant will focus on production of battery-grade quality lithium hydroxide

Piedmont Lithium Limited (“Piedmont” or “Company”) (ASX:PLL; NASDAQ: PLLL) is pleased to advise that the Company has acquired a 60.6-acre parcel in Kings Mountain, North Carolina as a potential site for its planned lithium chemical plant.  This acquisition represents an important step in the development of the vertically-integrated Piedmont Lithium Project located in North Carolina, USA.

Figure 1:  Vertically-Integrated Piedmont Lithium Project Sites

The lithium chemical plant site is approximately a 20-mile truck haul from the Company’s proposed spodumene mine and concentrator, minimizing the freight cost for concentrate delivery to the proposed facility.  Zoned heavy-industrial, the plant site has direct access to a Norfolk Southern rail line, Interstate I-85 and US Highway 29.  The site also has natural gas and power transmission immediately adjacent to the property.

Figure 2:  Piedmont Proposed Lithium Chemical Plant Conveniently Located to Major Infrastructure

The site will be included in the Company’s scoping study which is on track for completion in Q3 2018.  The planned lithium chemical plant will convert Piedmont Lithium-produced spodumene concentrate to lithium chemicals, with a focus on battery grade lithium hydroxide.  Lithium hydroxide commands a pricing premium relative to lithium carbonate, and recent studies have reported that lithium hydroxide produced from spodumene has a production cost advantage relative to production from brines.  Piedmont Lithium will commence permitting of the lithium chemical plant upon completion of the Scoping Study.

Keith D. Phillips, President and Chief Executive Officer, said, “We are very pleased to have identified such an attractive site for our downstream operations.  The site is a short drive from our core mining and concentration properties, it is the proper scale for our contemplated lithium chemical production operations, and it offers all the infrastructure one would seek for such a facility. Piedmont is focused on building an integrated lithium chemical operation in North Carolina, and this site will be an integral part of our plans.”

For further information, contact:

Keith D. Phillips

Anastasios (Taso) Arima

President & CEO

Executive Director

T: +1 973 809 0505

T: +1 347 899 1522

E: kphillips@piedmontlithium.com

E: tarima@piedmontlithium.com

 

Cision View original content with multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/piedmont-secures-site-for-lithium-chemical-plant-300676541.html

SOURCE Piedmont Lithium Limited


Piedmont Commences By-product Study

NEW YORK, July 1, 2018 /PRNewswire/ —

  • By-products may include quartz, feldspar and mica
  • Mineral Resource Estimates for by-products expected H2 2018
  • Bench scale metallurgical testwork complete with assays pending
  • Historic local spodumene mines had significant by-product revenue
  • Confidential discussions held with potential by-product off-take partners

Piedmont Lithium Limited (“Piedmont” or “Company”) (ASX: PLL; NASDAQ: PLLL) is pleased to advise that the Company has commenced a By-product Study for the Piedmont Lithium Project, located in the historic Carolina Tin-Spodumene Belt in North Carolina, United States.

Piedmont has retained CSA Global to complete Mineral Resource Estimates for potential quartz, feldspar and mica concentrate by-products.  CSA Global will use the same geologic model that was used for the recently completed maiden Mineral Resource Estimate for the Piedmont Lithium Project as the basis for further study.

North Carolina State University’s Minerals Research Lab has completed bench scale flotation tests and iron removal for quartz, feldspar and mica concentrates.  Assays are pending for these bench-scale tests.  Data and samples from these bench scale test results will be provided to potential off-take partners to evaluate their commercial potential.

Piedmont plans to include revenue potential from by-products in an update to our initial Scoping Study, which is expected to be released in late-July.  The update should be available in late-2018 following the definition of Mineral Resource Estimates for each by-product and will reflect feedback from potential by-product customers.

Keith D. Phillips, President and Chief Executive Officer, said, “While many spodumene pegmatites include quartz, feldspar and mica mineralization, most are located too remotely to economically serve the important markets for these products.  Given our location in the industrial heartland of the USA, there is potential to deliver into the large, glass, ceramic, building products and technology businesses that are based in our region and have great need for these minerals.  The historic Hallman-Beam mine derived substantial revenue from by-products, and if we are able to do the same it will have a positive impact on our production costs.”

For further information, contact: 

Keith D. Phillips                            

Anastasios (Taso) Arima 

President & CEO                             

Executive Director   

T: +1 973 809 0505                          

T: +1 347 899 1522  

E: kphillips@piedmontlithium.com    

E: tarima@piedmontlithium.com 

 

Cision View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/piedmont-commences-by-product-study-300675154.html

SOURCE Piedmont Lithium Limited