Piedmont Completes Bankable Feasiblity Study of the Carolina Lithium Project with Positive Results

Piedmont Lithium Inc. (“Piedmont” or the “Company”) is pleased to report the results of a Bankable Feasibility Study (“BFS”) for its 100% owned proposed integrated lithium hydroxide business (“Carolina Lithium” or the “Project”) in Gaston County, North Carolina. The Study confirms that Carolina Lithium could be one of the world’s largest and lowest-cost producers of lithium hydroxide, with a sustainability footprint that is superior to incumbent producers, all in a highly favorable location to supply the rapidly growing electric vehicle supply chain in the United States.

Lithium Hydroxide for the United States Electric Vehicle Market

  • U.S. Electric Vehicle (“EV”) demand is expected to grow 12x by 2030 (Benchmark Minerals)
  • Commitments of over $25 billion to build U.S. battery capacity by 2030
  • Lithium Hydroxide (“LiOH”) is required in the high-nickel batteries used in longer range EVs
  • Carolina Lithium is positioned to be the leading U.S. source of Lithium Hydroxide

Positive ESG Profile

  • LiOH will power the electrification of the vehicle business, dramatically reducing carbon and other emissions vs. traditional internal combustion vehicles
  • Superior sustainability profile relative to current LiOH producers in China and South America
  • Automotive companies prefer spodumene-sourced lithium hydroxide for sustainability reasons
  • Chemical Plant designed to rely on low carbon power sources in North Carolina
  • Carolina Lithium will operate under U.S. labor, environmental and safety standards

Strong Financial Results Expected from Low Estimated Operating Costs

  • BFS indicates results of NPV8 (after tax) of $2.0 billion and post-tax IRR of 27%
  • BFS estimated steady-state EBITDA[2] of $459 million over the first 10 years of operations
  • Projected steady-state LiOH cash costs of $3,657/t and AISC of $4,377/t for the first 10 years

Opportunities for Further Economic Upside

  • Stronger lithium pricing – current spot prices point toward higher EBITDA than BFS projections with indicative after tax $4.5bb NPV8 and 50% IRR using spot price modeling[3]
  • Conversion of additional ore reserves and new mineral resources consistent with Piedmont’s strong track-record through continued exploration of the Carolina Tin Spodumene Belt
  • Continued evaluation of possible Phase 2 LiOH expansion using SC6 sourced from Piedmont-affiliated companies

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Piedmont’s Carolina Lithium Project is uniquely positioned to benefit from its highly favorable location in Gaston County, North Carolina, with exceptional infrastructure, a deep local talent pool, low-cost energy, and proximity to local markets for the monetization of by-product industrial minerals. The Study reflects more conservative costing assumptions than prior studies, with recent inflationary pressures having a substantial impact on both capital expenditures and operating costs. These cost impacts are partially offset using lithium pricing assumptions based on the more positive outlook incorporated in the consensus estimates described herein. Summary results of the Study are shown below.

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The competitive advantage of Carolina Lithium’s unique location is depicted in the following lithium hydroxide cost curve, which was prepared by Roskill, a leading lithium industry consultancy.

Figure 1 – Lithium hydroxide 2028 AISC cost curve (real basis) (Roskill) for Carolina Lithium BFS Production Case[4]

AISC includes all direct and indirect operating costs including feedstock costs (internal AISC), refining, corporate G&A and selling expenses.

Industry Leading Sustainability Profile

Carolina Lithium is expected to have a superior sustainability profile relative to current lithium hydroxide producers in China and South America. Chinese lithium producers are highly reliant on coal-fired power and generally utilize a carbon-intensive sulfuric acid roasting process to convert raw materials shipped in from Australia, while South American producers tend to utilize vast tracts of land and large quantities of water, all in the driest desert in the world, the Atacama.

Figure 2 – Life cycle analysis of key carbon intensity, water usage, and land footprint of Carolina Lithium[5][6]

United States Market Dynamics

2021 has been a transformative year for electrification in the United States. Current and forecasted battery manufacturing capacity now exceeds 500 GWh with public announcements of over $25bb in capital investments to occur by 2025. Based on an average requirement of 960 t of lithium hydroxide per GWh of manufacturing capacity the resultant U.S. demand for lithium hydroxide could exceed 460,0000 t/y by 2027, dramatically exceeding the current development plans of domestic lithium companies.

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Figure 3 – Operating, Under Construction, or Announced U.S. Battery Manufacturing Capacity

Strong Estimated Financial Results with Potential for Extended Operational Life

The BFS prioritizes the production of the Company’s newly defined Probable Ore Reserves, which are calculated based upon compliance standards promogulated by the Joint Ore Reserve Committee (“JORC”) and those standards recently adopted by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) via its rules issued under Regulation S-K, Item 1300. Following exhaustion of the Company’s Ore Reserves, chemical plant feed is assumed to be supplemented with ore obtained via the Company’s equity-backed offtake agreements or other spodumene concentrate purchased from the market.

The production target outlined in the BFS is limited to the Company’s Probable Ore Reserves. Table 1 summarizes the financial outcomes of the BFS Ore Reserves production scenario.

Table 1: Summary BFS Financial OutcomesUnitOre Reserves Production Scenario
Operational Life
Lithium Hydroxide Plant Operation Life years 30
Ore Reserve Life years 11
Financial Performance
Average annual steady state EBITDA – first 10 years $mm/y[7] $459
Average annual steady state EBITDA – life of operations $mm/y $346
Average annual steady state after-tax cash flow – first 10 years $mm/y $296
Average annual steady state after-tax cash flow – life of operations $mm/y $244
After tax Net Present Value (“NPV”) @ 8% discount rate $mm $2,041
After tax Internal Rate of Return (“IRR”) % 27%

The BFS emphasizes an initial production target of 11 years of spodumene concentrate to be processed at the Company’s chemical plant which will be located adjacent to mining operations. The BFS incorporates assumptions of additional lithium hydroxide production sourced from equity-backed offtake agreements, discussed below, which allow the Company to secure spodumene from alternate sources, increasing the chemical plant life to 30 years.

Multi-Asset Business with Upside Potential

Strategic investments in logistically advantaged, high quality spodumene projects have transformed Piedmont Lithium in 2021 from a single project company to a multi-jurisdictional business with access to spodumene concentrate from multiple sources.

Piedmont Lithium holds a 25% equity interest in Sayona Quebec and North American Lithium along with a 50% offtake right to spodumene concentrate produced by Sayona Quebec on a life-of-mine basis.

Additionally, Piedmont Lithium has an earn-in right to acquire a 50% interest in Atlantic Lithium’s Ghanaian project portfolio including the Ewoyaa Project. Along with this equity earn-in right Piedmont holds a 50% offtake right to spodumene concentrate produced by Atlantic Lithium on a life-of-mine basis.

Offtake rights provide Piedmont Lithium the flexibility to extend the operational life of Carolina Lithium, or to increase lithium hydroxide production capacity through construction of a Phase 2 Lithium Hydroxide Conversion Plant.

The Company expects to publish additional technical studies in 2022 evaluating potential expansion cases for Phase 2 Lithium Hydroxide Operations.

Figure 4 – Piedmont holds spodumene concentrate offtake rights along with project investments in multiple jurisdictions

Fully Integrated Manufacturing Campus

  • Carolina Lithium contemplates a single, integrated site, comprising quarrying, spodumene concentration, by-products processing, and spodumene conversion to lithium hydroxide. There are currently no such integrated sites operating anywhere in the world, and the economic and environmental advantages of this strategy are compelling:
  • Premier location in Gaston County, North Carolina – “the cradle of the lithium business”
  • Integrated site eliminates unnecessary SC6 transportation costs and truck movements
  • Electric powered conveyors eliminate mine trucks, reduce noise, dust and diesel-based CO2 emissions
  • On-site solar complex to power concentrate operations
  • Potential to co-locate downstream battery materials, Li-ion battery manufacturing, and by-product customers
  • Creation of up to 500 permanent manufacturing, engineering, and management jobs (Phase 1)
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Figure 5 – Site plan for the planned permit area of the Phase 1 30,000 t/y Carolina Lithium operations

“We are exceedingly pleased with the results of the BFS for the Carolina Lithium Project, which we believe confirm the Project’s industry-leading sustainability profile as well as exceptional economics while incorporating the substantial capital and operating cost inflation experienced during 2021.

We will soon commence detailed engineering for the Project with a view to a final investment decision in 2022. We are actively engaged in project financing discussions, including possible debt finance via the U.S. Department of Energy’s Advanced Technology Vehicle Manufacturing loan program, and potential strategic equity investments via the partnering process being coordinated by our financial advisors.

An important priority for 2022 will be the evaluation of expansion opportunities incorporating the spodumene concentrate assets we control in Quebec and in Ghana. Our ambition is to build America’s largest lithium hydroxide business, and the spodumene resource base we’ve assembled during 2021 should underpin substantial growth.”

Keith D. Phillips, President and Chief Executive Officer

CAROLINA LITHIUM 30,000 T/Y BANKABLE FEASIBILITY STUDY

Piedmont’s fully integrated Carolina Lithium Project’s Bankable Feasibility Study (“BFS”) is based on the Company’s Mineral Resource estimate reported in October 2021, of 44.2 Mt at a grade of 1.08% Li2O and the by-product Mineral Resource estimates comprising 7.4 Mt of quartz, 11.1 Mt of feldspar and 1.1 Mt of mica reported in June 2021. This announcement is intended to alert investors to the conversion of 18.3 million metric tons of previously categorized spodumene Mineral Resources (undiluted basis) to Probable Ore Reserves and to report the results of technical study of the production of battery grade lithium hydroxide from these Ore Reserves and other sources.

The BFS emphasizes an initial Ore Reserves only production target of 11 years of spodumene concentrate to be processed at the Company’s chemical plant which will be located adjacent to mining operations. The BFS incorporates assumptions of additional lithium hydroxide production sourced from offtake agreements which allow the Company to secure spodumene from alternate sources, increasing the chemical plant life to 30 years. Table 2 summarizes project outcomes under the BFS.

There remains significant opportunity to increase the operational life of Carolina Lithium beyond 11 years by conversion of existing mineral resources to ore reserves or by discovery of additional resources within the TSB within a reasonable trucking or conveying distance to the proposed concentrator.

Table 2: BFS Summary Outcomes for the Carolina Lithium ProjectUnitOre Reserves Scenario
LiOH Conversion Plant Production
Operation life years 30
Steady-state annual lithium hydroxide production t/y 30,000
Metallurgical recovery % 91
Life of project battery quality LiOH production kt 883
Mine Production
Ore Reserves production scenario years 11
Average steady state SC6 production t/y 242,000
Average steady state quartz production t/y 252,000
Average steady state feldspar production t/y 392,000
Average steady state mica production t/y 28,000
Life-of-Mine (“LOM”) Production
Production target – run-of-mine ore Mt 20.1
LOM SC6 production Mt 2.6
LOM quartz production Mt 2.7
LOM feldspar production Mt 4.2
LOM mica production Mt 0.3
LOM feed grade (excluding dilution) % 1.10
LOM average concentrate grade % 6.0
LOM average process recovery % 77
LOM average strip ratio waste:ore 11.6:1
Operating Costs – Steady-State Production – First 10 Years
Average LiOH production cash costs $/t $3,657
Average LiOH production all in sustaining costs $/t $4,377
Average SC6 production cash costs $/t $234
Operating Costs – Average Life of LiOH Conversion Operations
Average LiOH production cash costs $/t $6,235
Average LiOH production all in sustaining costs $/t $6,559
Average SC6 supply cost $/t $687
Table 2: BFS Summary Outcomes for the Carolina Lithium ProjectUnitOre Reserves Scenario
Capital Costs
Mining $mm $81
Concentrator $mm $162
Byproducts $mm $45
Lithium hydroxide conversion plant $mm $408
Project indirects $mm $99
Owner’s costs $mm $73
Contingency $mm $120
Total initial capital cost$mm$988[8]
Sustaining, working and deferred capital $mm $351
Financial Performance
Average annual steady state EBITDA – first 10 years $mm/y $459
Average annual steady state EBITDA – life of operations $mm/y $346
Average annual steady state after-tax cash flow – first 10 years $mm/y $296
Average annual steady state after-tax cash flow – life of operations $mm/y $244
After tax Net Present Value (“NPV”) @ 8% discount rate $mm $2,041
After tax Internal Rate of Return (“IRR”) % 27%
Payback from start of operations years 3.5

Updates from Prior Studies

The BFS represents a significant advancement in project definition compared with the Company’s previously announced Scoping Study update announced in June 2021. Estimate accuracy has been improved between June and December 2021 from ±35% to ±15%. Significant changes have occurred in lithium market conditions and product pricing, while inflationary pressures have contributed to increases in estimated project capital and operating costs.

Table 3: Comparative Outcomes of BFS and June 2021 Scoping Study Update
OutcomesUnitBFSJune 2021 SSU
Chemical Plant life years 30 20
Spodumene concentrate production[9] years 11 20
Steady-state average annual LiOH production kt/y 30 30
Steady-state average annual SC6 production kt/y 242 248
Steady-state average annual by-product production kt/y 672 714
Long term lithium hydroxide price $/t $18,000 $15,239
Long term spodumene concentrate price $/t $900 $762
Steady-state average cash cost of LiOH production $/t $3,657[10] $2,943
Steady-state average cost of SC6 production $/t $234[11] $181
Initial capital cost (including contingency) $mm $988 $838
Steady-state average annual EBITDA $mm/y $459[12] $401
After tax NPV @ 8% discount rate $mm $2,041 $1,923
After tax IRR % 27% 31%
Payback from start of operations years 3.5 2.9


BFS Consultants

The results of the BFS incorporate expertise and input from multiple industry experts and consultants of the Company. A Technical Report Summary (TRS) of the BFS will be filed prior to the release of the Company’s next quarterly filing, currently anticipated by the end of February 2022, which would allow the Company to express Ore Reserves in accordance with JORC and S-K 1300 standards.

Table 4: BFS Consultants
ConsultantScope of Work
Primero Group Americas Inc. Concentrate operations and overall BFS integration
Metso Outotec Lithium hydroxide manufacturing technology package; LiOH pilot testwork
SGS Canada Inc. Concentrate and byproducts metallurgical testwork
Marshall Miller and Associates Mine design and scheduling; estimation of Ore Reserves
McGarry Geoconsulting Corp. Mineral Resource estimation
HDR Engineering, Inc. Permitting, environment, and social studies
Johnston, Allison, and Hord Land title and legal
Benchmark Mineral Intelligence Lithium products marketability
John Walker By-products marketability

Feasibility Study Overview

Piedmont holds a 100% interest in the Carolina Lithium Project located within the Carolina Tin-Spodumene Belt (“TSB”) and along trend to the Hallman Beam and Kings Mountain mines, which historically provided most of the western world’s lithium between the 1950s and the 1980s. The TSB has been described as one of the largest hard rock lithium regions in the world and is located approximately 25 miles west of Charlotte, North Carolina.

The Company has previously reported a global Mineral Resource estimate (“MRE”) for the Project of 44.2Mt grading at 1.08% Li2O. As of the date of our most recent 10-K filing, Piedmont has completed 599 drill holes on these properties totaling 88,185 meters to date spanning five drill campaigns. The BFS[13] only considers mining of the company’s Core Property and results in the conversion of approximately 18 million tons of previously categorized Indicated Mineral Resources to Probable Ore Reserves.

The Project is located in a rural area of Gaston County, North Carolina, USA approximately 25 miles northwest of the city of Charlotte. As of October 31, 2021, the Project comprised approximately 3,245 total acres, of which 1,526 acres are claims on private property through option or deferred purchase agreements, 113 acres are under a long-term mineral leased agreement, 79 acres are under lease to own agreements, and 1,527 acres are owned by Piedmont. For the properties hosting the Mineral Resources in this report, Piedmont controls 100% of the surface and mineral rights per one or more agreement scenarios.

On August 31, 2021 Piedmont submitted a mine permit application to the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s (“NCDEQ”) Division of Energy, Minerals and Land Resources (“DEMLR”) covering 1,548 acres of the Project’s total land package. Ore Reserves are inclusive of tons within the mine permit application. Additionally, ore reserves and mine planning summarized in this announcement include a smaller portion of tons contained within currently controlled properties which are anticipated to be permitted and mined via future permit boundary revisions. Additional property acquisitions, the costs of which are included in BFS financials, would allow permit boundary revisions to capture these additional reserve tons. In addition to further property acquisitions which are needed to expand permit boundaries, the project will require additional waste storage volume which is not currently included in the permit application. The Company currently controls tracts of land which are contiguous to the permitted areas that could be utilized for additional waste material storage without sterilizing reserves as expressed in this BFS.

The BFS supplements production of the Company’s Ore Reserves with ore secured via interests and offtake agreements with Sayona Quebec and Atlantic Lithium. As part of the BFS financial modelling, the Company and its Consultants confirmed the economic viability of its controlled Ore Reserves absent the impact of offtake tonnages. Further details are included in the announcement’s appendix.

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Figure 6 – Piedmont’s Carolina Lithium Project located within the TSB

Mineral Resource Estimates

On October 21, 2021 the Company announced an updated MRE prepared by independent consultant McGarry Geoconsulting Corp. (“McGarry Geo”) in accordance with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s Regulation S-K, Item 1300 (“S-K 1300”) and the JORC Code (2012 Edition). The total lithium Mineral Resources reported by Piedmont for the Carolina Lithium Project are 44.2 Mt grading at 1.08% Li2O.

Table 5: Carolina Lithium Project – Summary of Mineral Resources Estimate at October 20, 2021
Resource CategoryTonnes

(Mt)

Grade

(Li2O%)

Li2O

(t)

LCE

(t)

LiOH·H2O

(t)

Cut-Off Grade (% Li2O)Metallurgical Recovery

(%)[14]

Indicated 28.2 1.11 313,000 774,000 879,000 0.4 71.2
Inferre 15.9 1.02 162,000 401,000 455,000
Total 44.2 1.08 475,000 1,175,000 1,334,000


On October 21, 2021 the Company announced updated MREs for by-products quartz, feldspar, and mica. The results are shown in Table 6. The by-product MRE’s have been prepared by independent consultants, McGarry Geo and are reported in accordance with requirements of S-K 1300 and the JORC Code (2012 Edition). The economic extraction of by-product minerals is contingent on Piedmont’s economic extraction of lithium Mineral Resources. Accordingly, the by-product Mineral Resource estimates are reported at a 0.4% Li2O cut-off grade, consistent with the reported lithium MRE.

Table 6: Carolina Lithium Project – Summary of By-Product Quartz, Feldspar, and Mica Mineral Resources
Li2OQuartzFeldsparMica
Cut-Off Grade (Li2O %)0.40.40.40.4
Metallurgical Recovery (%)71.250.851.135.5
CategoryDepositTonnes (Mt)Grade
(%)
Tonnes (Mt)Grade
(%)
Tonnes (Mt)Grade
(%)
Tonnes (Mt)Grade
(%)
Tonnes (Mt)
Indicated Core 25.75 1.10 0.282 29.59 7.62 45.06 11.60 4.29 1.10
Central 2.47 1.30 0.031 28.79 0.71 45.16 1.12 3.24 0.08
Huffstetler 0.00 0.00 0.000 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Total28.221.11 0.31329.528.3345.0712.724.201.18
Inferred Core 10.93 1.02 0.111 29.13 3.18 45.52 4.97 4.18 0.46
Central 2.69 1.10 0.030 29.99 0.81 43.88 1.18 4.08 0.11
Huffstetler 2.31 0.91 0.021 28.82 0.67 48.60 1.12 3.24 0.08
Total15.931.02 0.16229.224.6645.677.284.030.64
MRE Total44.151.080.47529.4212.9945.3020.004.121.82


Ore Reserves

An estimate of Ore Reserves was made following detailed mine planning completed during the BFS and is based on the Indicated Mineral Resources contained within the Project’s Core Property. The Ore Reserves have been estimated in accordance with the requirements of S-K 1300 and the JORC Code. Section 4 of Table 1 of the JORC Code appear in the Appendices to this announcement.

Table 7: Carolina Lithium Project – Estimate of Ore Reserves (undiluted)
Ore Reserves CategoryTonnes

(Mt)

Grade

(Li2O%)

Li2O

(t)

LCE

(t)

LiOH·H2O

(t)

Cut-Off Grade (% Li2O)Metallurgical Recovery

(%)[15]

Proven 0.4 70.1
Probable 18.26 1.10 200,000 495,000 562,000
Total18.261.10200,000495,000 562,000

The Qualified and Competent Persons responsible for the derivation of Probable Ore Reserves have considered pertinent modifying factors, inclusive of geological, environmental, regulatory, and legal factors, in converting a portion of the Mineral Resource to Mineral Reserve. Probable Ore Reserves, derived from previously stated Indicated Mineral Resources, incorporate reasonable expectations of costs and performance. Historic mining ventures in the TSB yield additional confidence in the likelihood of a successful mining project. The Qualified and Competent Persons have considered the rules and regulations promulgated by the Joint Ore Reserve Committee and US Securities and Exchange Commission in estimating Ore Reserves. The Qualified and Competent Persons find the assumptions and modifying factors utilized for the BFS to be sufficient and satisfactory in the delineation of Probable Ore Reserves based upon JORC and S-K 1300 regulations.

Ore Reserves Classification Criteria

All converted Mineral Resources were classified as Probable Ore Reserves. There were no Measured Mineral Resources defined that could be converted into Proven Ore Reserves and no Inferred Mineral Resources were included in the estimation of Ore Reserves.

Ore Reserves Cut-Off Parameters

Cutoff grade of 0.4% Li2O was used in creation of the block model supplied by McGarry Geoconsulting Corp.

Ore Reserves Mining Factors

An open pit mining method was selected due to the ore body outcropping in several places along the surface. No other mining method was evaluated as part of the Ore Reserves estimation.

Mine design parameters include overburden batter angle in unconsolidated material of 27 degrees, face batter angle of 75 degrees, inter-ramp slope of 57 degrees, overall slope of 51 degrees, berm width of 9.5 meters, berm height working 12 meters, berm height final wall of 24 meters, ramp width of 30 meters, ramp grade of 10%, mine dilution of 10%, process recovery of 77%, and minimum mining width of 50 meters.

Ore Reserves Metallurgical Factors

In 2019, Piedmont engaged SGS Canada Inc. in Lakefield, Ontario to undertake testwork on variability and composite samples. Dense Medium Separation (“DMS”) and locked-cycle flotation tests produced high-quality spodumene concentrate with a grade above 6.0% Li2O, iron oxide below 1.0%, and low impurities from composite samples.

In 2021, Piedmont engaged SGS Canada Inc. in Lakefield, Ontario to undertake testwork on nine variability samples. Samples were produced from drill core from the East and South pits and represented the early years of production (i.e., the first 10 years of operation). The samples generally contained elevated levels of host rock dilution (ranging from 9.4% to 17.3%) as compared to the mine plan average (10%). DMS and batch and locked-cycle flotation tests were undertaken. Based on the historical testwork and the 2021 variability program, the BFS assumes a spodumene recovery of 77.0% for a diluted head grade of 0.996% Li2O when targeting a 6.0% Li2O spodumene concentrate product.

Ore Reserves Revenue Factors

The BFS assumes a fixed price of $18,000/t for battery quality lithium hydroxide and $900/t for spodumene concentrate (SC6).

Ore Reserves Cost Factors

Capital costs include estimates for infrastructure development including roads, electrical power delivery and distribution, water sources for plant and dust control and initial site development based on contractor responses to requests for proposal based on BFS level engineering.

Operating costs were established using budget pricing from mining contractors based on a request for proposal issued by Marshall Miller and Associates combined with first-principles estimates for utilities including electrical service from Duke Energy.

Costs were estimated on a 2021 U.S. dollars basis in real terms. Royalties of $1.00 per ROM tonne are based on the average land option agreement.

Mining Production Target

Pit optimizations were completed by Marshall Miller & Associates in order to produce a production schedule on a quarterly basis for the first five years of operations and on an annual basis thereafter. This resulted in a total production target of approximately 2.56 Mt of 6.0% Li2O spodumene concentrate (“SC6”), averaging approximately 242,000 t/y of SC6 over the 11-year ore reserve life. This equates to a steady state average of 1.90 Mt/y of ore processed, totaling approximately 20.1 Mt of run-of-mine (“ROM”) ore at an average fully diluted ROM grade of 1.0% Li2O (diluted) over the 11-year ore reserve life.

The BFS assumes concentrate operations production life of 11 years (matching ore reserves) and chemical plant operations life of 30 years, commencing in year 1 of the Project. It is assumed that concentrate operations including by-products will commence about 90 days in advance of chemical plant start-up to build initial SC6 inventory. Produced SC6 which exceeds chemical plant capacities are assumed to be sold to third parties during the life of the Project. Of the total production target of 2.56 Mt of SC6, approximately 0.56 Mt will be sold to third parties during the operational life and approximately 2.0 Mt will be supplied to Piedmont’s chemical plant operations for conversion into lithium hydroxide.

The Study assumes production targets of 2.68 Mt of quartz concentrate, 4.17 Mt of feldspar concentrate, and 0.30 Mt of mica concentrate over the life of operations based on the potential recovery of these products from the concentrator flotation circuits and the Company’s analysis of domestic industrial minerals markets and engagement with prospective customers.

There remains significant opportunity to increase the operational life of Carolina Lithium beyond 11 years by conversion of existing mineral resources to ore reserves or by discovery of additional resources within the TSB within a reasonable trucking or conveying distance to the proposed concentrator. Reserves delineated as part of the BFS only consider the Company’s Core Property and are predominately limited to those tons which are captured by current permit applications. Significant upside exists via the potential future conversion of other resources to reserves, the impact of which is not captured in the BFS economics.

Chemical Plant Production

The lithium hydroxide plant is assumed to operate for 30 years, with 2.0 Mt of SC6 delivered from Carolina Lithium’s concentrate operations from years 1-11 and 3.9 Mt of SC6 delivered from third party spodumene concentrate purchases from years 12-30, resulting in a total production target of approximately 883,000 tonnes of battery quality lithium hydroxide, averaging approximately 29,400 t/y of lithium hydroxide over the 30-year production life.

Third party purchases of spodumene concentrate may include procurement of SC6 from Sayona Quebec, where Piedmont Lithium holds offtake rights to the greater of 113,000 t/y or 50% of SC6 production on a life-of-mine basis. SC6 may also be delivered from Atlantic Lithium, where Piedmont Lithium holds a 50% offtake right, currently forecasted as 147,500 t/y SC6 production for life-of-mine. The BFS project financials do not capture potential financial gains from Piedmont’s equity interests in Sayona Quebec or Atlantic Lithium.

Mining Optimization

Independent consultants Marshall Miller and Associates used Maptek Vulcan and Evolution to generate a series of economic pit shells using the updated Mineral Resource block model and input parameters as agreed by Piedmont. Overall slope angles in rock were estimated following a preliminary geotechnical analysis that utilized fracture orientation data from oriented core and downhole geophysics (Acoustic Televiewer), as well as laboratory analysis of intact rock strength. The preliminary geotechnical assessment involved both kinematic and overall slope analyses utilizing Rocscience™ modeling software.

Overall slope angles of 27 degrees were assumed for overburden and oxide material. Overall slope angles of 51 degrees were estimated for fresh material which includes a ramp width of 30 meters. Production schedules were prepared for the Project based on the following parameters:

  • A targeted run-of-mine production of 1.9 Mt/y targeting concentrator output of about 242,000 t/y of SC6
  • Mining dilution of 10%
  • Mine recovery of 100%
  • Concentrator processing recovery of 77%
  • Mine sequence targets utilized Proven and Probable reserves for the schedule

The results reported are based upon a scenario which utilizes extraction of Probable reserves from property currently under mine permit application filed with NC DEMLR and additional controlled tonnes which are anticipated to be added to the permit following additional property acquisitions. These tonnes are currently excluded from the permit due to geometric constraints and offset requirements, but are anticipated to be permitted in the future. Table 8 shows the production target.

Table 8: Total Production Target for Piedmont Properties
PropertyROM Tonnes Processed

(Mt)

Waste Tonnes Mined

(Mt)

Stripping Ratio

(W:O t:t)

ROM Li2O Undiluted Grade (%)ROM Li2O Diluted Grade (%)Production YearsTonnes of SC6

(Mt)

Core 20.09 232.52 11.58 1.10 0.996 1-11 2.57
Central 0 0 0 0
Huffstetler 0 0 0 0
Total20.09232.5211.581.100.9961-112.57


Production Schedule

A mine design has been prepared based on delivery of ore reserves to the spodumene concentrator. The open pit design incorporates the production schedule on a quarterly basis for the first five years and then annually for the remaining life of mine. Access ramps, ramp widths, conveyor passes, batter angles, berm widths, berm heights, mine permit limits, zoning permit requirements, and jurisdictional buffers from flood zones, streams and wetlands not permitted for disturbance were all incorporated into the mine design.

Table 9: Mine Production Schedule by Time Period
Yr.Qtr.ROM Production (MT)Undiluted Grade (% Li2O)Diluted Grade (% Li2O)Probable Tonnes (MT)SC6 Product (kT)Quartz Product (kT)Feldspar Product (kT)Mica Product (kT)
0 0
1 1 0.24 1.22 1.11 0.24 35.2 35.6 54.7 3.5
1 2 0.24 1.07 0.97 0.24 29.7 36.0 55.3 3.6
1 3 0.24 1.20 1.09 0.24 35.0 36.4 55.9 3.6
1 4 0.24 1.20 1.09 0.24 35.0 36.4 55.9 3.6
2 1 0.47 1.25 1.14 0.47 71.5 70.2 107.8 7.0
2 2 0.47 1.20 1.09 0.47 67.9 71.0 109.0 7.1
2 3 0.48 1.11 1.01 0.48 62.0 71.7 110.2 7.1
2 4 0.48 1.01 0.91 0.48 54.7 71.7 110.2 7.1
3 1 0.47 1.02 0.93 0.47 54.8 70.8 108.7 7.0
3 2 0.47 1.14 1.03 0.47 63.3 70.8 108.7 7.0
3 3 0.48 0.98 0.89 0.48 52.4 71.5 109.9 7.1
3 4 0.48 1.13 1.03 0.48 63.8 71.5 109.9 7.1
4 1 0.47 1.07 0.97 0.47 57.9 70.2 107.8 7.0
4 2 0.47 1.00 0.91 0.47 53.8 71.0 109.0 7.1
4 3 0.48 1.07 0.97 0.48 59.0 71.7 110.2 7.1
4 4 0.48 1.01 0.92 0.48 54.7 71.7 110.2 7.1
5 1 0.47 1.05 0.96 0.47 56.6 70.2 107.8 7.0
5 2 0.47 1.07 0.97 0.47 58.4 71.0 109.0 7.1
5 3 0.48 1.17 1.06 0.48 66.4 71.7 110.2 7.1
5 4 0.48 1.22 1.11 0.48 70.3 71.7 110.2 7.1
6 1-4 1.90 1.12 1.02 1.90 250.3 284.6 437.2 28.3
7 1-4 1.90 1.04 0.94 1.90 225.1 284.6 437.2 28.3
8 1-4 1.90 1.06 0.97 1.90 233.4 284.6 437.2 28.3
9 1-4 1.90 1.07 0.97 1.90 235.7 284.6 437.2 28.3
10 1-4 1.90 1.13 1.02 1.90 251.5 284.6 437.2 28.3
11 1-4 1.90 1.14 1.03 1.90 254.7 284.6 437.2 28.3
12 1 0.15 1.06 0.97 0.15 18.3 22.3 34.3 2.2
Life of Mine20.091.101.0020.092,571.43,012.74,628.1299.4

Metallurgical Testwork

Concentrate Metallurgy

In 2019, Piedmont engaged SGS Canada Inc. in Lakefield, Ontario to undertake testwork on variability and composite samples. Dense Medium Separation (“DMS”) and locked-cycle flotation tests produced high-quality spodumene concentrate with a grade above 6.0% Li2O, iron oxide below 1.0%, and low impurities from composite samples. Table 10 shows the results of composite tests on the preferred flowsheet (previously announced on July 17, 2019). The feed grade of the composite sample was 1.11% Li2O.

Table 10: 2019 Dense Medium Separation and Locked Cycle Flotation Test Concentrate Assays
SampleLi2O

(%)

Fe2O3

(%)

Na2O

(%)

K2O

(%)

CaO+ MgO +
MnO (%)
P2O5

(%)

Dense medium separation 6.42 0.97 0.56 0.45 0.51 0.12
Locked-cycle flotation 6.31 0.90 0.68 0.52 1.25 0.46
Combined concentrate 6.35 0.93 0.63 0.49 0.96 0.32

In 2020, a pilot plant testwork program was undertaken at SGS Canada Inc. A 54-t bulk outcrop sample from the Carolina Lithium Project was processed through a DMS and flotation pilot plant. Using the optimized results from the flotation pilot plant, the combined DMS and flotation concentrates graded >6% Li2O and <1% Fe2O3 with lithium recoveries >70%. Optimized testing on the master composite sample resulted in lithium recovery of 82% and concentrate grading 6.13% Li2O.

In 2021, Piedmont engaged SGS Canada Inc. in Lakefield, Ontario to undertake testwork on nine variability samples. Samples were produced from drill core from the East and South pits and represented the early years of production (i.e., the first 10 years of operation). The samples generally contained elevated levels of host rock dilution (ranging from 9.4% to 17.3%) as compared to the mine plan average (10%). DMS and batch and locked-cycle flotation tests were undertaken. Table 11 shows the composition of the nine variability samples and combined (DMS and flotation) concentrate grades and spodumene recoveries which were estimated based on feed mineralogy.

Table 11: 2021 Variability Testwork Results
PitVariability SampleFeedCombined Concentrate
Li2O

(%)

Fe2O3

(%)

Li2O

(%)

Fe2O3

(%)

Est Spodumene Recovery (%)
East Early Flat 1 1.05 2.01 6.00 1.11 74.7
Early Flat 2 0.99 1.80 6.16 0.92 73.2
Early Steep 1.12 1.92 6.36 1.11 82.2
Late Flat 0.69 1.89 6.10 0.92 74.9
Late Low-grade 0.69 1.85 5.67 1.06 67.2
Extension High-grade 1.05 1.40 5.84 1.14 81.5
Extension Low-grade 1.01 1.81 5.81 1.10 67.4
South Lower Flat 1.01 2.00 5.74 0.95 75.4
Upper Steep 1.10 2.25 6.05 1.59 79.3

Based on the historical testwork and the 2021 variability program, the BFS assumes a spodumene recovery of 77.0% for a diluted head grade of 0.996% Li2O when targeting a 6.0% Li2O spodumene concentrate product.

By-Product Metallurgy

The production of bulk quartz and feldspar concentrates as by-products from the spodumene locked-cycle flotation tailings was investigated. Six individual batch tests were conducted with the quartz and feldspar concentrates being composited. The results of these tests are provided in Table 12 (results previously announced May 13, 2020). Additional by-product testwork in conjunction with BFS is ongoing.

Table 12: Composite Locked Cycle By-product Assays (from Spodumene Tailings)
Li2OSiO2Al2O3K2ONa2OCaOMgOMnOP2O5Fe2O3
Quartz concentrate 0.02 99.0 0.32 0.04 0.11 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01
Feldspar concentrate 0.12 68.0 19.35 2.45 9.30 0.17 0.04 0.01 0.15 0.05

Piedmont engaged North Carolina State University’s Minerals Research Laboratory in 2018 to conduct bench-scale testwork on samples obtained from the Company’s MRE within the Core Property for by-products quartz, feldspar, and mica. The objective of the testwork program was to develop optimized conditions for spodumene flotation and magnetic separation for both grade and recovery. Summary mica concentrate data are shown in Table 13. Complete mica data were previously announced on September 4, 2018. Further mica product optimization is in progress in conjunction with the BFS.

Table 13: Bench Scale Mica Physical Properties Results
ParameterUnitOptimized Value
Particle Size Medium to Very Fine 40 – 635 Mesh
Bulk Density g/cm3 0.681 – 0.682
Grit % 0.70 – 0.79
Photovoltmeter Green Reflectance 11.2 – 11.6
Hunter Value ± a [Redness(+) Greenness(-)] 0.27 – 1.25
Hunter Value ± b [Yellowness(+) Blueness(-)] 44.77 – 46.07

Mica quality is measured by its physical properties including bulk density, grit, color/brightness, and particle size. The bulk density of mica by-product generated from Piedmont composite samples was in the range of 0.680 – 0.682 g/cm3.

The National Gypsum Grit test is used mostly for minus 100 mesh mica which is used as joint cement compound and textured mica paint. Piedmont sample grit results were in the range of 0.70 – 0.79%, well below the typical specification for total grit in mica of 1.0%. Color/brightness is usually determined on minus 100 mesh material. Several instruments are used for this determination including the Hunter meter, Technedyne and the Photovoltmeter. The green reflectance is often reported for micas and talcs. Piedmont Green Reflectance results were in the range of 11.2 – 11.6.

Quartz and feldspar concentrates were produced during the 2021 Variability program at SGS Canada Inc. Batch flotation tests were operated to produce feldspar concentrate with the flotation tailings passed through wet high-intensity magnetic separation to produce quartz concentrate. Table 14 and Table 15 show assays for the feldspar and quartz concentrates produced from optimized variability batch tests.

Table 14: Optimized Batch Test Feldspar Concentrate Assays (from Spodumene Tailings)
TestSiO2Al2O3K2ONa2OCaOMgOP2O5Fe2O3
1 69.3 18.5 2.32 8.15 0.51 0.06 0.13 0.3
2 65.6 20.8 2.25 8.92 1.08 0.05 0.13 0.1
3 67.8 18.8 2.28 8.14 0.95 0.04 0.11 0.1
4 69.0 18.8 2.46 8.46 0.48 0.05 0.13 0.1
5 69.3 18.5 2.53 8.56 0.36 0.05 0.13 0.1
Table 15: Optimized Batch Test Quartz Concentrate Assays (from Spodumene Tailings)
TestSiO2Al2O3K2ONa2OCaOMgOP2O5Fe2O3
1 99.6 0.11 0.01 0.03 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01
2 99.7 0.13 0.01 0.04 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.02
3 99.7 0.14 0.02 0.03 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01
4 99.4 0.13 0.01 0.04 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.02
5 99.7 0.12 0.01 0.04 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.00

Conversion Metallurgy

In 2021, Piedmont engaged Metso Outotec to undertake pilot plant testwork using their proprietary Lithium Hydroxide Process. The spodumene concentrate sample used was produced during concentrator pilot plant operation in 2020. The spodumene concentrate was calcined by Metso Outotec at their laboratory in Oberursel, Germany. The calcined concentrate was then sent to Metso Outotec Research Center in Pori, Finland for hydrometallurgical testing.

The pilot plant flowsheet tested included: soda leaching, cold conversion, secondary conversion, ion exchange, and lithium hydroxide crystallization. The pilot plant operated for approximately 10 days. Roughly 100 kg of calcined spodumene concentrate was fed to the pilot plant. The average total lithium extraction achieved in soda leaching and cold conversion was 89% during the first 136 h of operation. Process recycles were incorporated in the pilot plant with no significant accumulation of impurities in the process. First stage lithium hydroxide crystallization was operated continuously during the pilot plant. Second stage crystallization was operated in batches after the completion of the continuous pilot plant. Impurities levels in the final battery-quality lithium hydroxide monohydrate product were typically low with Al <10 ppm, Ca <10 ppm, Fe <20 ppm, K <10 ppm, and Si <40 ppm. All other metal impurities were below detection limits.

Based on the testwork completed, Metso Outotec expects that 195,000 t/y of SC6 will be required to produce 30,000 t/y of battery quality lithium hydroxide. Based on Metso Outotec’s estimate, the BFS study assumes 91% lithium conversion through the lithium hydroxide conversion plant.

Process Design

The concentrator process design is based on historical testwork including the 2021 variability testwork program. Lithium hydroxide manufacturing process design is based on pilot plant results and Metso Outotec experience. The simplified process flow diagram for the Project is shown in Figure 7.

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Figure 7 – Proposed Carolina Lithium Project block flow diagram

Site Plan

A detailed site plan including mining operations, concentrate operations, lithium hydroxide manufacturing, overburden and waste rock disposal, by-product manufacturing and ancillary facilities was developed by Marshall Miller and Primero Group in connection with the Project’s mine permit application submitted in August 2021. This plan is expected to be modified as additional properties are acquired in order to execute the mine plan as expressed in the BFS. Most notably, the BFS assumes that tonnes contained between external property boundaries and pit extents, currently constrained by permitting offset requirements, are mined as additional properties are acquired. Also, a secondary waste pile, located on currently controlled property, is not included in the current permit application but is needed to develop the reserves as shown in the BFS. Staged permitting is a common practice and should not be considered abnormal for a mining venture of this magnitude. Figure 8 shows the proposed mine permit plan for the proposed integrated manufacturing campus.

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Figure 8 – Proposed integrated manufacturing campus site plan

Navisworks models have been completed for the lithium hydroxide conversion operations (Figure 9) and spodumene concentrate facilities (Figure 10) to a BFS level of detail. Further optimization of the proposed layouts will be completed during front-end engineering design.

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Figure 9 – Carolina Lithium 30,000t/y lithium hydroxide conversion facilities
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Figure 10 – Carolina Lithium spodumene and byproducts concentrator with integrated LiOH plant in background

Infrastructure

Piedmont enjoys a superior infrastructure position relative to most lithium projects globally. The proposed site is approximately 25 miles west of Charlotte, North Carolina. The site is directly accessible by multiple state highways, CSX railroad, and is in close proximity to U.S. Highway 321 and U.S. Interstate I-85.

Piedmont’s proposed Carolina Lithium operations are in proximity to four (4) major US ports:

  • Charleston, SC, 197 miles
  • Wilmington, NC, 208 miles
  • Savannah, GA, 226 miles
  • Norfolk, VA, 296 miles

Charlotte-Douglas International Airport is 20 miles from the proposed operations. Charlotte-Douglas is the 6th largest airport in the United States and has direct international routes to Canada, the Caribbean, South America, and Europe.

Temporary or permanent camp facilities will not be required as part of the Project. Furthermore, Livent Corporation and Albemarle Corporation operate lithium chemical plants in close proximity to the proposed Piedmont operations, and the local region is well serviced by fabrication, maintenance, and technical service contractors experienced in the sector.

Logistics

Most spodumene concentrate produced by Piedmont will be consumed by the Piedmont Carolina Lithium chemical plant. For internal transportation costs within the integrated campus, the cost to operate the belt conveyors connecting the concentrator and chemical plant are carried in the concentrator operating costs. Products are assumed to be shipped from site via truck.

Permitting

HDR Engineering has been retained by Piedmont to support permitting activities on the proposed Project.

In November 2019, the Company received a Clean Water Act Section 404 Standard Individual Permit from the US Army Corps of Engineers for the concentrate operations. This is the only federal permit required for the concentrate operations. The Company has also received a Section 401 Individual Water Quality Certification from the North Carolina Division of Water Resources. In connection with the 404 Permit an Environmental Assessment was completed for the Project which resulted in a Finding of No Significant Impact (“FONSI”).

The concentrate operations require a North Carolina State Mining Permit from the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (“NCDEQ”) Division of Energy, Mineral and Land Resources (“DEMLR”). The Company submitted a mine permit application to DEMLR on August 31, 2021. A public hearing in relation to the mine permit application was held on November 15, 2021. The Company has received additional information requests in connection with the mine permit application and is preparing a written response.

Piedmont previously received a Clean Air Act Title V synthetic minor permit from the NCDEQ Division of Air Quality for a proposed lithium hydroxide operation in Kings Mountain. Piedmont plans to apply for a new air permit for the Carolina Lithium integrated operations upon completion of the BFS.

Carolina Lithium remains subject to local rezoning and permit requirements. Piedmont remains in pre-application consultation with Gaston County at this time. A rezoning application will follow receipt of mine and air permits. The Company will apply for a special use permit required under the Gaston County UDO upon completion of the rezoning process.

The following environmental studies have been completed in connection with the Project (Table 16).

Table 16: List of Completed Environmental Background Studies for the Project
Study DescriptionAuthorDate of completion
Jurisdictional Delineation HDR Engineering April 2019
Threatened and Endangered Species Survey HDR Engineering December 2018
Roadway Abandonment Technical Memo HDR Engineering March 2019
Cultural Resources Survey HDR Engineering April 2019
Static Groundwater model HDR Engineering June 2019
Summary of Waste Rock and Process Tailings Geochemical Assessment Marshall Miller & Associates August 2019
Addendum Report – Results of Humidity Cell Leaching Tests Marshall Miller & Associates December 2019
Water Quality Testing HDR Engineering March 2020
Dynamic Groundwater Model HDR Engineering August 2021
Toxicity Testing of the Lithium Hydroxide Conversion Plant Tailings HDR Engineering August 2021
Acid Base Account and Toxicity Characteristics Leaching Procedure Test Results Summary, and Proposed Mitigation Plan Associated with Potentially Acid Producing Waste Rock in the Southern East Pit Marshall Miller & Associates August 2021
Jurisdictional Delineation – Additional properties HDR Engineering November 2021
Threatened and Endangered Species Survey – Additional properties HDR Engineering November 2021

Marketing

Lithium Market Outlook

Benchmark Mineral Intelligence (“Benchmark”) reports that total battery demand will grow to 346 GWh in 2021 translating to 339kt of LCE demand in 2021, a growth of 51% over 2020 demand. Benchmark forecasts total demand in 2021 to be 473kt on an LCE basis.

Benchmark further expects the market to remain in a structural deficit (see Figure 11) for the foreseeable future as demand gets a head-start on supply. In the near impossible scenario that all projects come online on time as planned and without any issues, the first surplus will not occur until 2025. Benchmark believes that in this extreme case, a surplus could only be expected to last a few years before demand forces the market into a large deficit without further new projects yet undiscovered or developed.

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Figure 11 –Lithium hydroxide supply demand forecast

The Company analyzed recent battery-grade lithium hydroxide and SC6 prices from Benchmark, JPMorgan and Macquarie for the period 2022-2025 as well as price forecasts recently announced by other lithium project developers.

Table 17: Price Forecasts for Battery-Grade Lithium Hydroxide ($/tonne)
Forecast2022202320242025
Benchmark Minerals $20,600 $26,200 $25,200 $20,900
JPMorgan $26,625 $22,500 $19,737 $18,420
Macquarie $21,275 $20,415 $18,545 $17,540

Based on these and other data this Study assumes long-term pricing of $18,000/t for battery quality lithium hydroxide and $900/t for spodumene concentrate for the life of the project. Figure 12 compares the pricing used in the BFS to historical China pricing for lithium hydroxide.

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Figure 12 –Historical battery quality lithium hydroxide prices (ex-China) $/t

As shown in Figure 13 below North America is seeing considerable growth in battery plant capacity. Figure 14 below shows the corresponding lithium hydroxide demand for the announced U.S. battery plant capacity at full production.

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Figure 13 –Current battery plants operating, under construction or announced in the United States
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Figure 14 –LiOH Demand for Select U.S. Giga-Factories

Market Strategy

Piedmont is focused on establishing strategic partnerships with customers for battery grade lithium hydroxide with an emphasis on a customer base which is focused on EV demand growth in North America and Europe. Piedmont will concentrate this effort on these growing EV supply chains, particularly in light of the growing commitments of battery manufacturing by groups such as Ford, General Motors, Stellantis, Toyota, LGES, SK Innovation, Samsung SDI and others. Advanced discussions with prospective customers are ongoing.

By-Product Marketing

Piedmont proposes to produce quartz, feldspar and mica as by-products of spodumene concentrate operations. The Company engaged John Walker, an independent consultant, and Pronto Minerals, a joint venture between the Company and Ion Carbon & Materials, to assist the Company in estimating market opportunities for its by-products as shown in Table 18 below.

Table 18: Market Forecasts and Basket Pricing for By-Products ($/t)
Quartz (t/y)Feldspar (t/y)Mica(t/y)Average Realized Price ($/t) Mine Gate
252,000 392,000 28,000 $69.70

Operating Cost Estimates

Spodumene Concentrate Operating Cost Estimate

The SC6 operating cost estimate was prepared based on operating at approximately 1.90 million t/y run-of-mine ore producing an average of 242,000 t/y of SC6. Table 19 summarizes the estimated operating costs at steady-state. Costs are presented on an FOB chemical plant basis. Analcime by-product from lithium hydroxide manufacturing is assumed to have zero credit value.

Table 19: Concentrate Operations Cash Operating Cost Summary (Steady State)
SC6 Production CostsTotal Average Annual Cost ($mm/y)Cost $/t SC6
Mining $62.1 $274
SC6 processing $24.6 $101
Labor$8.6$36
Consumables$9.0$37
Power$3.9$16
Maintenance$1.1$4
Mobile Equipment$0.6$2
Lab and Plant G&A$0.7$3
Water Treatment$0.8$3
Royalties $1.9 $8
Subtotal $88.6 $383
By-product processing $11.3 $46
Labor$2.4$10
Consumables$5.4$22
Power$1.5$6
Maintenance$0.3$1
Mobile Equipment$0.3$1
Lab and Plant G&A$0.3$1
Water Treatment$1.2$5
By-product credit ($46.8) ($195)
Total cash operating cost$53.1$234

Lithium Hydroxide Operating Cost Estimate

The operating cost estimate was prepared based on producing 30,000 t/y of lithium hydroxide monohydrate. Table 20 summarizes the estimated average operating costs for lithium hydroxide production over the life of mining operations and when using third-party spodumene concentrate.

Table 20: Chemical Plant Cash Operating Cost Summary
Steady-State First 10 YearsAverage Life of Operations
Operating Cost ComponentTotal Average Annual Cost ($mm/y)Cost $/t LiOHTotal Average Annual Cost ($mm/y)Cost $/t LiOH
Salaries $10.0 $334 $10.0 $339
Operating Consumables $30.5 $1,017 $30.5 $1,027
Power $6.4 $214 $6.4 $218
Maintenance $3.2 $107 $3.2 $108
Laboratory and QA/QC $2.1 $70 $2.1 $70
Other Costs $1.1 $32 $1.1 $32
Subtotal conversion costs $53.3 $1,774 $53.3 $1,794
SC6 supply costs (cash cost basis) $45.8[16] $1,527 $123.5[17] $4,131
G&A $10.7 $356 $9.3 $310
Total cash operating costs$109.8$3,657$186.1$6,235

The operating cost estimate is based on Q4 2021 U.S. dollars with no escalation. Target accuracy of the operating cost estimate is ± 15%. Operating costs are based on steady-state production. The average operating costs include the commissioning and ramp-up phases of both concentrate operations and chemical plant operations. Third party SC6 sales are not included in the by-product credits.

During years 12-30, the chemical plant operations pay market price for spodumene concentrate either delivered CIF to the port of Charleston, South Carolina, or to DAP to Carolina Lithium’s rail siding in Cherryville, NC.

Operating costs assume that Carolina Lithium employs contract mining services.

Figure 15 – Lithium hydroxide production average steady state cash cost first 10 years

Capital Cost Estimate

Table 21 highlights the total estimated capital expenditures for the Project. Variable contingency has been applied to project costs based on the level of engineering definition completed and the confidence level of supplier and contractor quotations. The capital cost estimate has a ±15% accuracy and is based on Q4 2021 costs.

Table 21: Estimated Capital Costs
Cost CenterTotal Capital Costs ($ mm)
Mining $81
Concentrator $162
Byproducts $45
Lithium hydroxide conversion plant $408
Project indirects $99
Owner’s costs $73
Total Initial Capital (excluding contingency)$867
Contingency $120
Total Development Capital$988
Deferred, working and sustaining capital $351

Project Schedule

An integrated schedule was prepared as part of the BFS. The level 1 summary schedule is presented in Figure 16. For the purposes of financial modeling construction of the Carolina Lithium Project is assumed to commence at the start of Q3 2022. Project approvals including a state mining permit, rezoning, air permit, and special use permit are required before construction activities can commence on the Project.

Commercial production at the lithium hydroxide plant is estimated to start 24 months after the start of construction, with full production achieved within 12 months from the start of production.

Figure 16 – Carolina Lithium Project Level 1 Schedule

Royalties, Taxes, Depreciation, and Depletion

The BFS project economics include the following key parameters related to royalties, tax, depreciation, and depletion allowances:

  • Royalties of $1.00 per ROM tonne based on the average land option agreement
  • Current North Carolina state corporate taxes are 2.5% but will reduce to 0% between 2024-2028
  • Federal tax rate of 21% is applied and state corporate taxes are deductible from this rate
  • Effective base tax rate of 22.975% in 2028 and reduces to 21% from 2028 onwards
  • Depletion allowance of 22% is applied to the spodumene concentrate and mica sales prices. For spodumene concentrate used internal to the Carolina Lithium operations a transfer price equal to the market price has been used to calculate depletion.
  • Depletion allowances for quartz and feldspar concentrates are 14% within the financial model
  • Depreciation in the concentrate operations is based on Asset Class 10.0 – Mining in IRS Table B-1 using the general depreciation system (“GDS”) over 7 years with the double declining balance method
  • Depreciation in the chemical plant is based on Asset Class 28.0 – Mfg. of Chemical and Allied Products in Table B-1 using GDS of 5 years with the double declining balance method
  • Bonus depreciation of 80% has been applied based on the bonus depreciation allowance in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, where applicable

BFS Economics

Modeling Assumptions

A detailed project economical model was completed by the Company as part of the Study with the following key assumptions:

  • Capital and operating costs are in accordance with technical study outcomes
  • Chemical plant ramp-up is based on a 12-month time frame to nameplate production
  • Financial modeling has been completed on a monthly basis, including estimated cash flow for construction activities and project ramp-up
  • Mine scheduling was prepared on a quarterly basis for the first five years of operations, and annually thereafter.
  • Pricing information for battery-grade lithium hydroxide sales and spodumene concentrate supply are based on a fixed price of $18,000/t for battery quality lithium hydroxide and $900/t for 6.0% Li2O spodumene concentrate
  • Royalties, tax, depreciation, and depletion allowances according to stated assumptions

Financial Modelling

A comprehensive economic model has been prepared which fully integrates the Carolina Lithium Project including concentrate and chemical operations. The Study assumes a chemical plant production life of 30 years commencing 3 months after the start of mining operations. The chemical plant operates using self-supplied spodumene concentrate for the first 11 years of operations followed by market procurement of SC6 from year 12, including potentially from offtake sources currently controlled by or contracted with Piedmont. The mining production target is approximately 20.1 Mt at an average run of mine grade of 1.0% Li2O (fully-diluted) over an 11-year ore reserve life. The overall life of chemical plant operations is 30 years.

The current economic model is based on a monthly projection of capital costs and assumes that the full capital cost is spent across 21 months prior to commissioning of the concentrate operations and across 24 months prior to the commissioning of the chemical plant. Concentrate operations are assumed to ramp to full production over a one-year period and the chemical plant is also assumed to ramp to full production over a one-year period.

Payback Period

Payback periods for the Project constructed in a single phase is 3.5 years after the start of chemical plant operations or 5.5 years from the start of construction. Payback period is calculated on the basis of after-tax free cash flow.

Sensitivity Analyses

The concentrate operations and chemical plant components of the Study have been designed to a BFS level of detail with an intended accuracy of ± 15%. Key inputs into the Study have been tested by pricing, capital cost, and operating cost sensitivities. The impact to after tax net present value is presented in Figure 17 while impact to project IRR is presented in Figure 18. Additionally, applying discount rates of 7% and 9% resulted in NPV7 of $2,360mm and NPV9 of $1,768mm.

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Figure 17 – Net present value sensitivity analysis for the Carolina Lithium Project
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Figure 18 – IRR sensitivity analysis for the Carolina Lithium Project

Conclusions and Next Steps

The Study results demonstrate the potential for Carolina Lithium to become a major North American lithium hydroxide producer on a fully integrated spodumene mine to lithium hydroxide chemical plant basis. The Company will now concentrate on the following initiatives to drive the Project forward:

  • Complete an expanded Scoping Study to define a Phase 2 lithium hydroxide operation using partner sourced spodumene concentrate
  • Continue evaluation of environmentally sensitive issues for incorporation in mine planning
  • Undertake bridging and optimization engineering activities and launch FEED engineering
  • Selection of EPC contractor for execution of the Project
  • Respond to additional requests for information from DEMLR and continue to advance mine permit approvals
  • Complete and submit a new air permit application for the proposed 30,000 t/y Carolina Lithium Project
  • Engage in further pre-application consultation with Gaston County in advance of rezoning and special use permit application submittals
  • Complete formal submission of the Company’s Advanced Technology Vehicle Manufacturing program loan application
  • Continue to evaluate opportunities to add quality assets to the Company’s portfolio
  • Evaluate strategic partnering options in partnership with Evercore and JP Morgan

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

The information contained herein by Piedmont has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the securities laws in effect in the United States and Australia. The terms “mineral resource”, “measured mineral resource”, “indicated mineral resource” and “inferred mineral resource” are used herein as defined by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) in Regulation S-K, Item 1300 (“S-K 1300”) and as defined in accordance with the 2012 Edition of the Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves (the “JORC Code”). The terms “Ore Reserves”, “Proven Ore Reserves”, and “Probable Ore Reserves” are used herein as defined by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) in Regulation S-K, Item 1300 (“S-K 1300”) and as defined in accordance with the 2012 Edition of the Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves (the “JORC Code”).

Competent Persons and Qualified Persons Statements

The information in this announcement that relates to Exploration Results is based on, and fairly represents, information compiled or reviewed by Mr. Lamont Leatherman, a Competent Person and Qualified Person, who is a Registered Member of the ‘Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration’, a ‘Recognized Professional Organization’ (RPO). Mr. Leatherman is an employee of the Company. Mr. Leatherman 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’. Mr. Leatherman’s credentials also allow him to satisfy the requirements of a Qualified person in accordance with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission’s Modernization of Property Disclosures. Mr. Leatherman consents to the inclusion in the report of the matters based on his information in the form and context in which it appears.

The information in this announcement that relates to lithium Mineral Resources is extracted from our announcement entitled “Piedmont Increases Mineral Resources with Completion of Phase 5 Infill Drilling dated October 22, 2021. This announcement is available to view on the Company website at www.piedmontlithium.com. Piedmont confirms that: a) it is not aware of any new information or data that materially affects the information included in the original announcements; b) all material assumptions and technical parameters underpinning the Mineral Resources in the original announcements continue to apply and have not materially changed; and c) the form and context in which the Competent/Qualified Person’s findings are presented in this announcement have not been materially modified from the original announcements.

The information in this announcement that relates to Metallurgical Testwork Results is based on, and fairly represents, information compiled or reviewed by Dr. Jarrett Quinn, a Competent and Qualified Person who is a Registered Member of Ordre des Ingénieurs du Québec’, a ‘Recognized Professional Organization’ (RPO). Dr. Quinn is a consultant to Primero Group Americas Inc. Dr. Quinn 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 Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves’ and a Qualified Person under S-K 1300 standards. Dr. Quinn consents to the inclusion in the report of the matters based on information in the form and context in which it appears.

The information in this announcement that relates to Process Design and Operating Costs is based on, and fairly represents, information compiled or reviewed by Mr. Andrew Siemon, a Competent and Qualified Person who is a Registered Member of the ‘Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy’, a ‘Recognized Professional Organization’ (RPO). Mr. Siemon is a full time employee of Primero Group Americas Inc. Mr. Siemon 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 Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves’ and a Qualified Person under S-K 1300 standards. Mr. Siemon consents to the inclusion in this report of the matters based on his information in the form and context in which it appears.

The information in this announcement that relates to Capital Costs and Financial Analysis is based on, and fairly represents, information compiled or reviewed by Mr. Stephane Normandin, a Competent and Qualified Person who is a Registered Member of ‘Ordres des Ingenieurs du Quebec’, a ‘Recognized Professional Organization’ (RPO). Mr. Normandin is a full time employee of Primero Group Americas Inc. Mr. Normandin 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 Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves’ and a Qualified Person under S-K 1300 standards. Mr. Normandin consents to the inclusion in this report of the matters based on his information in the form and context in which it appears.

The information in this announcement that relates to Mining Engineering, Mining Schedule, Mining Costs & Ore Reserves is based on information compiled by Mr. Chris Scott and reviewed by Dr. Steven Keim, both of whom are employees of Marshall Miller and Associates (MM&A). Dr. Keim takes overall responsibility as Competent and Qualified Person for the portions of the work completed by MM&A. Dr. Steven Keim is a Competent Person who is a Registered Member of the ‘Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration Society’, a ‘Recognized Professional Organization’ (RPO). Dr. Keim has sufficient experience, which is relevant to the style of mineral extraction under consideration, and to the activity he is undertaking, to qualify as Competent Person in terms of the JORC Code (2012 Edition) and a Qualified Person under S-K 1300 standards. Dr. Keim has reviewed this document and consents to the inclusion in this report of the matters based on his information in the form and context within which it appears.

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. Such forward-looking statements concern Piedmont’s anticipated results and progress of its operations in future periods, planned exploration and, if warranted, development of its properties and plans related to its business and other matters that may occur in the future. These statements relate to analyses and other information that are based on forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions of management. All statements contained herein that are not clearly historical in nature are forward-looking, and the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “expect,” “estimate,” “may,” “might,” “will,” “could,” “can,” “shall,” “should,” “would,” “leading,” “objective,” “intend,” “contemplate,” “design,” “predict,” “potential,” “plan,” “target” and similar expressions are generally intended to identify forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which could cause actual events or results to differ from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this release include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to risks related to:

  • Piedmont’s operations being further disrupted and Piedmont’s financial results being adversely affected by public health threats, including the novel coronavirus pandemic;
  • Piedmont’s limited operating history in the lithium industry;
  • Piedmont’s status as an exploration stage company, including Piedmont’s ability to identify lithium mineralization and achieve commercial lithium mining;
  • mining, exploration and mine construction, if warranted, on Piedmont’s properties, including timing and uncertainties related to acquiring and maintaining mining, exploration, environmental and other licenses, permits, access rights or approvals in Gaston County, North Carolina, the Province of Quebec, Canada and Ghana as well as properties that Piedmont may acquire or obtain an equity interest in the future;
  • completing required permitting, zoning and re-zoning activities required to commence mining and processing operations for the Carolina Lithium Project;
  • Piedmont’s ability to achieve and maintain profitability and to develop positive cash flows from Piedmont’s mining and processing activities;
  • Piedmont’s estimates of mineral reserves and resources and whether mineral resources will ever be developed into mineral reserves;
  • investment risk and operational costs associated with Piedmont’s exploration activities;
  • Piedmont’s ability to develop and achieve production on Piedmont’s properties;
  • Piedmont’s ability to enter into and deliver products under supply agreements;
  • the pace of adoption and cost of developing electric transportation and storage technologies dependent upon lithium batteries;
  • Piedmont’s ability to access capital and the financial markets;
  • recruiting, training and developing employees;
  • possible defects in title of Piedmont’s properties;
  • compliance with government regulations;
  • environmental liabilities and reclamation costs;
  • estimates of and volatility in lithium prices or demand for lithium;
  • Piedmont’s common stock price and trading volume volatility;
  • the development of an active trading market for Piedmont’s common stock; and
  • Piedmont’s failure to successfully execute Piedmont’s growth strategy, including any delays in Piedmont’s planned future growth.

All forward-looking statements reflect Piedmont’s beliefs and assumptions based on information available at the time the assumption was made. These forward-looking statements are not based on historical facts but rather on management’s expectations regarding future activities, results of operations, performance, future capital and other expenditures, including the amount, nature and sources of funding thereof, competitive advantages, business prospects and opportunities. By its nature, forward-looking information involves numerous assumptions, inherent risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, known and unknown, that contribute to the possibility that the predictions, forecasts, projections or other forward-looking statements will not occur. Although Piedmont have attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those anticipated, believed, estimated, or expected. Piedmont cautions readers not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Except as otherwise required by the securities laws of the United States, Piedmont disclaims any obligation to subsequently revise any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statements or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events. Piedmont qualifies all the forward-looking statements contained in this release by the foregoing cautionary statements.

Based on the assumptions made as part of the Carolina Lithium Project’s BFS announcement dated December 14, 2021.
EBITDA defined as earnings before interest, taxes, depletion, depreciation, and amortization.
Indicative NPV and IRR of the Carolina Lithium Project when applying current spot prices as reported by Fastmarkets on 12/03/21 of $31,000/t for LiOH and $2,300/t for SC6 for pricing assumptions in the project’s financial model.

Based on the assumptions made as part of the Carolina Lithium Project’s BFS announcement dated December 14, 2021.
EBITDA defined as earnings before interest, taxes, depletion, depreciation, and amortization.
Indicative NPV and IRR of the Carolina Lithium Project when applying current spot prices as reported by Fastmarkets on 12/03/21 of $31,000/t for LiOH and $2,300/t for SC6 for pricing assumptions in the project’s financial model.

  1. Based on the assumptions made as part of the Carolina Lithium Project’s BFS announcement dated December 14, 2021.
  2. EBITDA defined as earnings before interest, taxes, depletion, depreciation, and amortization.
  3. Indicative NPV and IRR of the Carolina Lithium Project when applying current spot prices as reported by Fastmarkets on 12/03/21 of $31,000/t for LiOH and $2,300/t for SC6 for pricing assumptions in the project’s financial model.
  4. Carolina Lithium AISC presented based on December 2021 BFS results showing Piedmont’s steady-state AISC during the first 10 years of operations. All other costs shown based on Roskill May 2021 cost curve but assuming $900/t SC6 input costs for Merchant Converters to match BFS pricing assumptions.
  5. Water scarcity values published by AWARE and available at wulca-waterlca.org/aware/ LCA results previously announced on June 9, 2021
  6. Atlantic Lithium and Sayona are spodumene projects in which the Company has equity interests and offtake agreements
  7. References to $ in this announcement are United States Dollars.
  8. Due to rounding the capital costs as presented do not add to $988mm
  9. Spodumene concentrate production in the BFS is a production target based solely on Ore Reserves, prior studies established production targets based on Indicated as well as Inferred Mineral Resources. There remains significant opportunity to increase the operational life of Carolina Lithium beyond 11 years by conversion of existing mineral resources to ore reserves or by discovery of additional resources within the TSB
  10. Steady-state cash costs of LiOH production during years 3-10 using SC6 sourced from Carolina Lithium
  11. Steady-state cash costs of SC6 production at Carolina Lithium at a BFS level from years 3-10
  12. Average annual EBITDA during years 3-10 of operations. The average annual EBITDA life of chemical plant is $346mm
  13. The Terms “Feasibility Study” and “Bankable Feasibility Study” are defined and/or referred to by the JORC Code (2012 Edition) and the SEC adopting for release S-K 1300. With regards to both JORC and SEC rules, feasibility studies are intended to support the economic viability of Ore Reserves via a detailed engineering and financial analysis. The Bankable Feasibility Study in which this announcement relates includes assumptions pertaining to the production of lithium reserves currently controlled by the Company and processing of purchased spodumene concentrate from other entities. As such, the term “Feasibility Study” as referred to in this announcement presents a business case which includes costs and revenues associated with reserve and non-reserve material. With regards to assumptions related to the production of the company’s Ore Reserves, all engineering and financial analysis aligns with the requirements of JORC and SEC rules to meet feasibility level standards. While the feasibility study and this announcement present a business model which includes non-reserve material, the Company and its consultants have completed a stand-alone analysis of the Company’s reserves to document their economic viability absent assumptions of purchased spodumene material.
  14. Overall metallurgical recovery from spodumene ore to lithium hydroxide monohydrate assumption within resource model
  15. The metallurgical recovery of ore reserves is based on 77% recovery of ore to spodumene concentrate, and 91% metallurgical recovery of SC6 to battery quality lithium hydroxide as reported in this announcement.
  16. Expenses attributable to SC6 delivered to the lithium hydroxide conversion plant for processing.
  17. After depletion of Ore Reserves the model assumes that Carolina Lithium purchases SC6 at market rates of $900/t plus $35/t inland freight costs from U.S. port to Cherryville, NC.

Piedmont Lithium Releases Updated Corporate Presentation for November 2021

November 9, 2021 (Business Wire) – Piedmont Lithium Inc., (“Piedmont” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: PLL; ASX: PLL), a leading developer of lithium hydroxide production to enable the North American electric vehicle supply chain, today released a new Corporate Overview Presentation. The updated presentation includes information addressing overall market conditions, lithium supply and demand projections from industry analysts, pricing trends, as well as a status update on Piedmont’s multiple resources in North Carolina, Quebec, and Ghana.

“The tremendous momentum in the EV industry continues to accelerate, especially in North America with near daily expansion announcements from battery makers and electric vehicle makers alike. One thing that remains a constant in this electric environment is the need for lithium to power the industry’s projected growth,” said Piedmont President and CEO, Keith Phillips. “A company that controls a critical mass of spodumene with the ability to cost-effectively produce battery-grade lithium hydroxide, is well positioned to serve the fast-growing EV market, while returning increasing value to shareholders. And that is exactly how we are building our company,” added Phillips.

The updated presentation for November can be found under the Investor section of the Piedmont Lithium website at: https://www.piedmontlithium.com/investors/presentations.

About Piedmont Lithium

Piedmont Lithium is developing a world-class, multi-asset, integrated lithium business focused on enabling the transition to a net zero world and the creation of a clean energy economy in North America. The centerpiece of our operations, located in the renowned Carolina Tin Spodumene Belt of North Carolina, when combined with equally strategic and indemand mineral resources, and production assets in Quebec, and Ghana, positions us to be one of the largest, lowest cost, most sustainable producers of battery-grade lithium hydroxide in the world. We will also be strategically located to best serve the fast-growing North American electric vehicle supply chain. The unique geology, geography and proximity of our resources, production operations and customer base, will allow us to deliver valuable continuity of supply of a high-quality, sustainably produced lithium hydroxide from spodumene concentrate, preferred by most EV manufacturers. Our planned diversified operations should enable us to play a pivotal role in supporting America’s move toward decarbonization and the electrification of transportation and energy storage. As a member of organizations like the International Responsible Mining Association, and the Zero Emissions Transportation Association, we are committed to protecting and preserving our planet for future generations, and to making economic and social contributions to the communities we serve. For more information, www.piedmontlithium.com.

Monique Parker Chosen to Lead Piedmont Lithium Health, Safety, and Environment

October 28, 2021 (Business Wire) – Piedmont Lithium Inc., (“Piedmont” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: PLL; ASX: PLL), a leading developer of lithium hydroxide production to enable the North American electric vehicle supply chain, today announced that Monique Parker has joined the Company as Vice President of Health, Safety, and Environment. Reporting to Chief Operating Officer, David Klanecky, Ms. Parker brings more than a decade of experience managing environmental, health and safety operations for some of the most recognized manufacturers in the United States, such as Albemarle Corporation, Owens Corning, and Unilever. Ms. Parker also acquired several years of experience in other business leadership positions, where she was involved in strategy development, customer relationship management, new product development, operations, logistics and sales, within Albemarle’s Lithium Salts business.

“Monique brings a unique leadership perspective to this role having been involved in multiple business areas beyond health, safety, and environment,” commented Piedmont Lithium President and CEO, Keith Phillips. “When combined with her experience in the lithium space, her holistic view will be extremely important to our organization as we begin to build our integrated operations from the ground up understanding the critical importance of health, safety, and the environment, all of which are fundamental pillars of our operating philosophy.”

Ms. Parker joins Piedmont from Albemarle Corporation where she has held positions ranging from Business Unit HSE Director, Global Quality Director, and Business Process Improvement Director to Senior Global Business and New Product Development Leader. Prior to her time at Albemarle, she held several positions with Owens Corning, including Environmental, Health and Safety Leader where she led environmental and safety programs for multiple sites, executed the company’s environmental permitting process, as well as its programs focused on reducing waste to landfills. Ms. Parker began her career as a Manager of Environmental, Health and Safety with Hexcel Corporation.

Ms. Parker earned her Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from Tennessee Technological University and is credentialed as a Certified Safety Professional (CSP) and an ISO 9001 Lead Auditor.

About Piedmont Lithium

Piedmont Lithium is developing a world-class, multi-asset, integrated lithium business focused on enabling the transition to a net zero world and the creation of a clean energy economy in North America. The centerpiece of our operations, located in the renowned Carolina Tin Spodumene Belt of North Carolina, when combined with equally strategic and in-demand mineral resources, and production assets in Quebec, and Ghana, positions us to be one of the largest, lowest cost, most sustainable producers of battery-grade lithium hydroxide in the world. We will also be strategically located to best serve the fast-growing North American electric vehicle supply chain. The unique geology, geography and proximity of our resources, production operations and customer base, will allow us to deliver valuable continuity of supply of a high-quality, sustainably produced lithium hydroxide from spodumene concentrate, preferred by most EV manufacturers. Our planned diversified operations should enable us to play a pivotal role in supporting America’s move toward decarbonization and the electrification of transportation and energy storage. As a member of organizations like the International Responsible Mining Association, and the Zero Emissions Transportation Association, we are committed to protecting and preserving our planet for future generations, and to making economic and social contributions to the communities we serve. For more information, www.piedmontlithium.com.

Piedmont Increases Mineral Resources with Completion of Phase 5 Infill Drilling

Inaugural Mineral Resources reported under new U.S. S-K 1300 Standards

  • Carolina Lithium Project total Mineral Resources increase to 44.2 Mt @ 1.08% Li2O
  • Indicated Mineral Resources increased 101% to 28.2 Mt @ 1.11% Li2O for the Project
  • DFS completion for the integrated 30,000 t/y LiOH Carolina Lithium Project expected within Q4 2021

BELMONT, NC – Piedmont Lithium Inc. (Nasdaq: PLL) (“Piedmont” or “Company”) is pleased to announce an updated global Mineral Resource estimate (“MRE”) (Table 1) for the Company’s flagship Carolina Lithium Project in North Carolina, USA. The MRE includes updates for lithium and industrial mineral products. The total MRE for the project is 44.2 Mt @ 1.08% Li2O, with 64% of the total MRE classified in the Indicated category. The Mineral Resource estimate reported in accordance with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission S-K 1300 standards and the Australasian JORC Code (2012 Edition).

Table 1: Carolina Lithium Project – Summary of Mineral Resources Estimate at October 20, 2021 Based on Long-Term Pricing of US$ 15,239/t LiOH*H2O

Resource Category

Tonnes

(Mt)

Grade

(Li2O%)

Li2O

(t)

LCE

(t)

LiOH·H2O

(t)

Cut-Off Grade (% Li2O)

Metallurgical Recovery

(%)1

Indicated

28.2

1.11

313,000

774,000

879,000

0.4

71.2

Inferred

15.9

1.02

162,000

401,000

455,000

Total

44.2

1.08

475,000

1,175,000

1,334,000

Note 1 – Overall metallurgical recovery from spodumene ore to lithium hydroxide monohydrate

Keith D. Phillips, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented: “We are very pleased to have concluded our Phase 5 drill campaign and to further expand our world-class resource base. Carolina Lithium has one of the largest spodumene resources in North America, and the only one located in the United States. The increase in ‘Indicated’ resources of over 100% relative to resources previously reported under Australian standards, will underpin the definitive feasibility study for Carolina Lithium that we plan to publish later in 2021. The DFS will be another important step along the path to building America’s leading lithium business to support and enable the rapidly-growing electric vehicle supply chain in the United States.”

The Company intends to file an inaugural Technical Report Summary in accordance with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission Regulation S-K 1300 Modernization of Property Disclosures requirements in the Company’s next Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

The updated Mineral Resources will be incorporated into the upcoming Definitive Feasibility Study of the Carolina Lithium Project, which the Company expects to complete within Q4 2021.

Map

Description automatically generated

Figure 1 – Piedmont Lithium’s Carolina Lithium Project Regional Map

Technical Discussion

Overview

Piedmont holds a 100% interest in the Carolina Lithium Project located within the Tin-Spodumene Belt and along trend to the Hallman Beam and Kings Mountain mines, which historically provided most of the western world’s lithium between the 1950s and the 1980s.

The Project is located in a rural area of Gaston County, North Carolina, USA approximately 40 km northwest of the city of Charlotte. The Project is located on the Bessemer City, Lincolnton West, and Lincolnton East United States Geological Survey (USGS) Quadrangles. The coordinate system and datum for the modeling is UTM-17N, NAD-83. The Property is centered at approximately 35°23’20”N 81°17”20”W and is comprised of approximately 3,245 total acres, of which 1,526 acres are claims on private property through option or deferred purchase agreements, 113 acres are under a long-term mineral leased agreement, 79 acres are under lease to own agreements, and 1,527 acres are owned by Piedmont. For the properties hosting the MREs in this report, Piedmont controls 100% of the surface and mineral rights per one or more agreement scenarios.

Global Mineral Resources

The Global Mineral Resource estimate, reported in Table 1, includes an update of lithium and by-product Mineral Resources for the Core property and the Central and Huffstetler Mineral Resources previously reported under Australian standards on 9 June 2021. The details of the three MREs are summarized in Table 2. Central and Huffstetler properties are within one mile of the Core property along the trend of the Carolina Tin-Spodumene Belt (Figure 2). The mineral percentages for the MRE were derived from a normative mineralogical calculation using XRF major oxide analysis for spodumene bearing pegmatites within the current lithium Mineral Resource.

The Qualified Person concludes that sufficient data have been obtained through various exploration, sampling, and metallurgical testwork programs to support the geological interpretation of lithium-bearing pegmatite deposits on the Property. The data are of sufficient quantity and reliability to reasonably support the MRE. The MRE has been classified as Indicated and Inferred based on the guidelines specified by S-K 1300 and the JORC Code (2012 Edition). Classification is based upon an assessment of geological understanding of the deposit, geological and grade continuity, drill hole spacing, quality control results, search and interpolation parameters, and an analysis of available density information. Modeled Mineral Resources for each deposit appear to be of sufficient grade, quality, quantity, and coherence to have reasonable prospects for eventual economic extraction by open pit mining methods.

The Mineral Resource is based on an overall metallurgical recovery from spodumene to lithium hydroxide of 71.20%.

The updated lithium and by-product Mineral Resources will support the completion of a Definitive Feasibility Study with an estimated completion date within Q4 2021.

Table 2: Carolina Lithium Project – Summary of By-Product Quartz, Feldspar, and Mica Mineral Resources Estimates Based on Long-Term Pricing of US$ 15,239/t LiOH*H2O, Average By-Product Pricing of US$ 79.50/t

Li2O

Quartz

Feldspar

Mica

Cut-Off Grade (Li2O %)

0.4

0.4

0.4

0.4

Metallurgical Recovery (%)

71.21

50.8

51.1

35.5

Category

Deposit

Tonnes (Mt)

Grade
(%)

Tonnes (Mt)

Grade
(%)

Tonnes (Mt)

Grade
(%)

Tonnes (Mt)

Grade
(%)

Tonnes (Mt)

Indicated

Core

25.75

1.10

0.282

29.59

7.62

45.06

11.60

4.29

1.10

Central

2.47

1.30

0.031

28.79

0.71

45.16

1.12

3.24

0.08

Huffstetler

0.00

0.00

0.000

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

Total

28.22

1.11

0.313

29.52

8.33

45.07

12.72

4.20

1.18

Inferred

Core

10.93

1.02

0.111

29.13

3.18

45.52

4.97

4.18

0.46

Central

2.69

1.10

0.030

29.99

0.81

43.88

1.18

4.08

0.11

Huffstetler

2.31

0.91

0.021

28.82

0.67

48.60

1.12

3.24

0.08

Total

15.93

1.02

0.162

29.22

4.66

45.67

7.28

4.03

0.64

MRE Total

44.15

1.08

0.475

29.42

12.99

45.30

20.00

4.12

1.82

Note 1 – Overall metallurgical recovery from spodumene ore to lithium hydroxide monohydrate

Map

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Figure 2 – Piedmont Carolina Lithium Project Mineral Resource location map showing updated MRE and resource constraining shells.

Core Property

This MRE update incorporates the results of 127 diamond core holes totaling 18,567 meters (Appendix 1) drilled during the recently completed Phase 5 drill program. The update has increased the Core property MRE by 16%, from the 31.68 Mt @ 1.07% Li2O, reported in April 2021, to 36.68 Mt @ 1.07% Li2O. The increase in MRE size has come from several areas with the most significant being in the north pit area where numerous laterally extensive pegmatite sills and inclined sheets have been discovered. Sills and inclined sheets are typically stacked with cumulative true thicknesses of 10 to 20 meters. Individual sheets have been traced for 500 meters along strike and 300 meters down dip and range up to 12 meters true thickness.

A primary objective of the Phase 5 drilling was to complete infill drilling at the Core property. Results from this drilling have increased the Mineral Resources in the Indicated category by 101% compared with the Mineral Resources previously reported on June 25, 2019. Indicated resources account for 70% of the updated Core Property MRE. Furthermore, 92% of the resource is within 150 m of the topography surface.

Map

Description automatically generated

Figure 3 – Drillhole location map for the Core property

Summary of Resource Estimate and Reporting Criteria

The Mineral Resource estimate, representing in-situ lithium-bearing pegmatites, are reported in accordance with (SEC) Regulation S-K 1300 and are therefore suitable for public release. Lithium Mineral Resources include tonnage estimates for Li2O and lithium hydroxide (LiOH·H2O) whereby one tonne of Li2O is equivalent to 2.81 tonnes lithium hydroxide.

The resource has additionally been prepared in compliance with S-K 1300, JORC Code 2012 Edition and the ASX Listing Rules.

The following is a summary of the pertinent information used in the MRE.

Geology and Geological Interpretation

Regionally, the Carolina Tin-Spodumene belt extends for 40 kilometers along the litho tectonic boundary between the Inner Piedmont and Kings Mountain belts. The mineralized pegmatites are thought to be concurrent and cross-cutting dike swarms extending from the Cherryville granite, as the dikes progressed further from their sources, they became increasingly enriched in incompatible elements such as lithium (Li) and tin (Sn). The dikes are considered to be unzoned.

On the property scale, spodumene pegmatites are hosted in a fine to medium grained, weakly to moderately foliated amphibolites and metasediments. The spodumene pegmatites range from fine grained (aplite) to very coarse-grained pegmatite with primary mineralogy consisting of spodumene, quartz, plagioclase, potassium-feldspar and muscovite.

Drilling and Sampling Techniques

These resources are an update to the previous Mineral Resource estimates reported in June 2021 in which the resource was informed by 415 drillholes at the Core property. The current resource estimate is now informed by a total of 542 drillholes at the Core property. Table 4 shows the allocation of drillholes per property.

Table 4: Drill Hole Summary for the Mineral Resource Estimate Update

Property

Drill Type

Number of

Holes

Number of

Holes with XRF data

Core

Diamond and Rotary Sonic Core

542

303

Central

Diamond Core

36

22

Huffstetler

Diamond Core

14

14

All diamond drill holes were collared with HQ and were transitioned to NQ once non-weathered and unoxidized bedrock was encountered. Drill core was recovered from surface.

Oriented core was collected on select drill holes using the REFLEX ACT III tool by a qualified geologist at the drill rig. This data was highly beneficial in the interpretation of the pegmatite dikes.

The drill spacing is approximately 40 to 80 meters along strike and down dip. This spacing is sufficient to establish continuity in geology and grade for this pegmatite system.

Drill collars were located with the differential global positioning system (DGPS) with the Trimble Geo 7 unit which resulted in accuracies <1 meter. All coordinates were collected in State Plane and re-projected to Nad83 zone 17 in which they are reported.

Down hole surveying was performed on each hole using a REFLEX EZ-Trac multi-shot instrument. Readings were taken approx. every 15 meters (50 feet) and recorded depth, azimuth, and inclination. All holes were geologically and geotechnically logged. All holes were photographed prior to sampling. Sampled zones were subsequently photographed a second time after the samples had been marked.

The core was cut in half with a diamond saw with one half submitted as the sample and the other half retained for reference. Standard sample intervals were a minimum of 0.35 m and a maximum of 1.5 m for HQ or NQ drill core, taking into account lithological boundaries (i.e. sample to, and not across, major contacts). A CRM or coarse blank was included at the rate of one for every 20 drill core samples (i.e. 5%). Sampling precision is monitored by selecting a sample interval likely to be mineralized and splitting the sample into two ¼ core duplicate samples over the same sample interval. These samples are consecutively numbered after the primary sample and recorded in the sample database as “field duplicates” and the primary sample number recorded. Field duplicates were collected at the rate of 1 in 20 samples when sampling mineralized drill core intervals.

Sample Analysis Method

Normative mineralogy was calculated from total fusion X-ray fluorescence (XRF) major element data using a least squares method (MINSQ – Herrmann, W. and Berry, R.F., 2002, Geochemistry: Exploration, Environment, Analysis, volume 2, pp. 361-368). The normative calculations were validated against and corrected where necessary using X-ray diffraction (XRD) Rietveld semi-quantitative mineralogical data from 38 sample pulps selected to represent a range of chemical compositions and mineralogy, as well as 3 QEMSCAN analyses of composite samples prepared for metallurgical test work.

Resource Estimation Methodology

Lithological and structural features were defined based upon geological knowledge of the deposit derived from drill core logs and geological observations on surface. Wireframe models of 92 pegmatite bodies were created in Micromine® by joining polygon interpretations made on cross sections and level plans spaced at 40 meters. Weathering profiles representing the base of saprolite and overburden were modelled based upon drill hole geological logging. Modelling utilized a topographic digital terrain model (“DTM”) that incorporates LiDAR and photogrammetry data with high accuracy RTN-GPS survey control. The LiDAR data has an accuracy class of +/- 0.1 meters.

Rotated block models were constructed in Micromine® that encompass all modelled dikes using parent cell sizes of 6 m (E) by 12 to 18 m (N) by 6 to 18m (Z). The drill hole files were flagged by the pegmatite and weathering domains they intersected. Statistical analysis of the domained data was undertaken in Supervisor®. Samples were regularized to 1 meter composite lengths. Regularized weight percent mineral grades within the pegmatite model were analyzed to confirm the suitability of the Ordinary Kriging method also used for the lithium Mineral Resource estimate. For each modelled pegmatite, regularized compositional grades for spodumene, quartz, albite, K-spar and muscovite were interpolated into the corresponding pegmatite block model along with grades for biotite and other gangue minerals. Albite and K-spar grade estimates are summed to generate a compositional grade estimate for feldspar by-product.

Block grade interpolation was validated by means of swath plots, comparison of sample and block model mineral grade averages and correlation coefficients, and by overlapping mineral grade distribution charts for sample and block model data. Cross sections of the block model with drill hole data superimposed were also reviewed.

Classification Criteria

Resource classification parameters are based on the validity and robustness of input data and the estimator’s judgment with respect to the proximity of resource blocks to sample locations and confidence with respect to the geological continuity of the pegmatite interpretations and grade estimates.

All blocks captured in pegmatite dike interpretation wireframes below the topography surface are classified as Inferred. Indicated classification boundaries define regions of blocks that, overall, meet the following criteria: Within major pegmatite dikes that are informed by at least two drill holes within a range of approximately 25 meters to the nearest drill hole in the along strike and down dip directions.

No Measured category resources are estimated.

Cut-Off Grade, Mining and Metallurgical Methods and Parameters

The Mineral Resource Estimate is reported at a 0.4% Li2O cut-off grade, in line with cut off grades utilized at comparable deposits. The economic extraction of by-product minerals is contingent on the economic extraction of lithium mineral resources at the Project. Accordingly, the by-product Mineral Resource Estimate is also reported at a 0.4% Li2O cut-off grade.

The depth, geometry, and grade of pegmatites at the property make them amenable to exploitation by open cut mining methods. The Core resource model is constrained by a conceptual pit shell derived from a Whittle optimization using estimated block value and mining parameters appropriate for determining reasonable prospects of economic extraction. These include: maximum pit slope of 50° and strip ratio of 12, mining cost of US$2.90/t, spodumene concentration cost of US$25/t, processing cost of US$2,616/t LiOH·H2O, commodity price equivalent to US$15,239/t LiOH·H2O and with appropriate recovery and dilution factors. Material falling outside of this shell is considered to not meet reasonable prospects for eventual economic extraction.

Conceptual shells for Central and Huffstetler resource models, developed using the above parameters, extended to the base of the resource models and beyond the modelled strike extent of the resource model where the deposits are open. Accordingly, the entire Central and Huffstetler resource models are considered to have reasonable prospects of eventual economic extraction.

Reasonable prospects for metallurgical recovery of spodumene and by-product minerals are supported by the results of the variability and composite sample test work undertaken at SGS laboratories in Lakefield, Ontario and previously announced on May 13, 2020. Bulk samples of the quartz, feldspar and mica co-products from the Project have been evaluated for attributes such as product size distribution, chemical composition, purity, and color. Test work results demonstrate that by-products have specifications that are marketable to prospective regional customers and strategic partners in the solar glass, engineered quartz, ceramic tile, and other industrial minerals markets.

Future Exploration

Piedmont plans to release a Definitive Feasibility Study for the project within Q4 2021. Piedmont continues to evaluate newly acquired properties within the Carolina Tin Spodumene Belt for lithium mineralization.

The Qualified Person recommends the following actions are completed to support the ongoing Mineral Resource development effort at the Carolina Lithium Project:

  • Investigate shallow portions of Core Property deposits deemed amenable to early-stage mining through infill drilling and appropriate surface methods, at 20 m to 40 m spacings. An understanding of the short-range variability of mineralization, pegmatite dike orientation, and weathering should be developed, and Measured resource classification criteria established.
  • Model the extent of major metavolcanic and metasedimentary host rock units to support mine planning at the Core property. Models will improve bulk density estimation and support environmental and geotechnical characterization of waste rock.
  • Conduct infill drilling to increase data density and support the upgrading of Mineral Resources from Inferred to Indicated throughout the Project.
  • Undertake a study to identify new exploration targets and prioritize step-out drill targets that expand defined resource pegmatites.
  • To support exploration targeting across its properties, and to direct future property acquisitions, Piedmont should continue to synthesize a mineral system model for spodumene bearing pegmatites along the TSB.

About Piedmont Lithium

Piedmont Lithium (Nasdaq:PLL; ASX:PLL) is developing a world-class, multi-asset, integrated lithium business focused on enabling the transition to a net zero world and the creation of a clean energy economy in North America. The centerpiece of our operations, Carolina Lithium, is located in the renowned Carolina Tin Spodumene Belt of North Carolina. Combining our U.S. assets with equally strategic and in-demand mineral resources, and production assets in Quebec and Ghana, positions us to be one of the largest, lowest cost, most sustainable producers of battery-grade lithium hydroxide in the world. We will also be the most strategically located to best serve the fast-growing North American electric vehicle supply chain. The unique geology, geography and proximity of our resources, production operations and customer base, will allow us to deliver valuable continuity of supply of a high-quality, sustainably produced lithium hydroxide from spodumene concentrate, preferred by most EV manufacturers. Our diversified operations will enable us to play a pivotal role in supporting America’s move toward decarbonization and the electrification of transportation and energy storage. For more information, visit www.piedmontlithium.com.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of or as described in securities legislation in the United States and Australia, including statements regarding exploration, development and construction activities; current plans for Piedmont’s mineral and chemical processing projects; strategy; and expectations regarding permitting. Such forward-looking statements involve substantial and known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other risk factors, many of which are beyond our control, and which may cause actual timing of events, results, performance or achievements and other factors to be materially different from the future timing of events, results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such risk factors include, among others: (i) that Piedmont will be unable to commercially extract mineral deposits, (ii) that Piedmont’s properties may not contain expected reserves, (iii) risks and hazards inherent in the mining business (including risks inherent in exploring, developing, constructing and operating mining projects, environmental hazards, industrial accidents, weather or geologically related conditions), (iv) uncertainty about Piedmont’s ability to obtain required capital to execute its business plan, (v) Piedmont’s ability to hire and retain required personnel, (vi) changes in the market prices of lithium and lithium products, (vii) changes in technology or the development of substitute products, (viii) the uncertainties inherent in exploratory, developmental and production activities, including risks relating to permitting, zoning and regulatory delays, (ix) uncertainties inherent in the estimation of lithium resources, (x) risks related to competition, (xi) risks related to the information, data and projections related to Sayona Quebec and IronRidge Resources, (xii) occurrences and outcomes of claims, litigation and regulatory actions, investigations and proceedings, (xiii) risks regarding our ability to achieve profitability, enter into and deliver product under supply agreements on favorable terms, our ability to obtain sufficient financing to develop and construct our projects, our ability to comply with governmental regulations and our ability to obtain necessary permits, and (xiv) other uncertainties and risk factors set out in filings made from time to time with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and the Australian Securities Exchange, including Piedmont’s most recent filings with the SEC. The forward-looking statements, projections and estimates are given only as of the date of this presentation and actual events, results, performance and achievements could vary significantly from the forward-looking statements, projections and estimates presented in this presentation. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Piedmont disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly such forward-looking statements, projections and estimates, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Additionally, Piedmont, except as required by applicable law, undertakes no obligation to comment on analyses, expectations or statements made by third parties in respect of Piedmont, its financial or operating results or its securities.

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

The information contained herein by Piedmont has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the securities laws in effect in the United States and Australia. The terms “mineral resource”, “measured mineral resource”, “indicated mineral resource” and “inferred mineral resource” are used herein as defined by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) in Regulation S-K, Item 1300 (“S-K 1300”) and as defined in accordance with the 2012 Edition of the Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves (the “JORC Code”).

Qualified Persons Statement

The information in this announcement that relates to Exploration Results is based on, and fairly represents, information compiled or reviewed by Mr. Lamont Leatherman, a Qualified Person who is a Registered Member of the ‘Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration’, a ‘Recognized Professional Organization’ (RPO). Mr. Leatherman is an employee of the Company. Mr. Leatherman 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 Qualified Person as defined in S-K 1300 and as a Competent Person as defined in the JORC Code. Mr. Leatherman consents to the inclusion in the report of the matters based on his information in the form and context in which it appears.

The information in this report that relates to Exploration Targets and Mineral Resources is based on, and fairly represents, information compiled or reviewed by Mr. Leon McGarry, a Qualified Person who is a Professional Geoscientist (P.Geo.) and registered member of ‘Professional Geoscientists Ontario’ (PGO no. 2348), a ‘Recognized Professional Organization’ (RPO). Mr. McGarry is a Principal Resource Geologist and full-time employee at McGarry Geoconsulting Corp. 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 Qualified Person as defined in S-K 1300 and the JORC Code. 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.

Steve Keim is a licensed Professional Engineer (PE) and Registered Member of the Society of Mining Engineers (SME), Golden, Colorado, USA. Kevin Andrews is a Certified Professional Geologist (CPG) under requirements of the American Institute of Professional Geologists (AIPG) and a Registered Member of SME. SME and AIPG are Recognized Professional Organizations (RPO). Both Mr. Keim and Mr. Andrews are full-time employees of MM&A and are recognized as qualified individuals to review the resource estimate and associated data.

Krishna McVey Joins Piedmont Lithium as Vice President of Human Resources

October 14, 2021 (Business Wire) – Piedmont Lithium Inc., (“Piedmont” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: PLL; ASX: PLL), a leading developer of lithium hydroxide production to enable the North American electric vehicle supply chain, today announced that Krishna McVey has joined the Company as Vice President of Human Resources. Reporting to Chief Executive Officer, Keith Phillips, Ms. McVey brings a broad, multi-dimensional background in human resources to Piedmont that includes experience in all aspects of labor and employment law and human capital management. Over her career Ms. McVey has led several complex, transformational organizational initiatives, as well as leading talent acquisition and management, design and implementation of compensation performance systems, and the formulation of a wide range of organizational policies for multinational, multi-business unit companies.

“Kris is a welcome addition to our expanding leadership team, and we feel extremely fortunate to have someone with her background and unique skillset join the Piedmont family,” said CEO, Keith Phillips. “As we evolve from a pre-production, pre-revenue company, to a global, multi-asset organization with a growing workforce that could reach nearly 500 teammates, Kris’ diverse, international leadership experience will be invaluable in helping us build a world-class company, with a world-class culture, and world-class HR systems and practices.”

Ms. McVey joins Piedmont from TC Transcontinental Packaging where she rose from Global Director of Human Resources to Vice President of Human Resources and U.S. Labor Relations. In her most recent role, she oversaw all human resources activities for TC’s largest consumer packaging segment, including cultural change management initiatives, and labor relations strategies in the U.S. and Canada. Prior to her time at TC Transcontinental, she had a 15-year career with Michelin with positions in both France and North America. She began her tenure at Michelin as Associate General Counsel, then progressed through the organization to become Director of Human Resources with the Aircraft Tire Division of Michelin North America where she developed policies and procedures for both the hourly and salaried population of the 500-employee operation. Ms. McVey began her career in private practice with the law firm Edwards Ballard where she represented a variety of private and public employers developing human resources policies and diversity programs, while providing extensive legal training to clients in all areas of human resources and employee relations.

Ms. McVey earned her Juris Doctor in Labor and Employment Law from the University of South Carolina School of Law, her Master of Human Resources from the Darla Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina, as well as her Bachelor of Arts (French) degree from the University of South Carolina. Over her career, Ms. McVey has served on the Board of several philanthropic and community organizations, including SAFE Homes/Rape Crisis, the United Way of Stanly County, and the Centralina Workforce Development Board.

About Piedmont Lithium

Piedmont Lithium is developing a world-class, multi-asset, integrated lithium business focused on enabling the transition to a net zero world and the creation of a clean energy economy in North America. The centerpiece of our operations, located in the renowned Carolina Tin Spodumene Belt of North Carolina, when combined with equally strategic and in-demand mineral resources, and production assets in Quebec, and Ghana, positions us to be one of the largest, lowest cost, most sustainable producers of battery-grade lithium hydroxide in the world. We will also be strategically located to best serve the fast-growing North American electric vehicle supply chain. The unique geology, geography and proximity of our resources, production operations and customer base, will allow us to deliver valuable continuity of supply of a high-quality, sustainably produced lithium hydroxide from spodumene concentrate, preferred by most EV manufacturers. Our planned diversified operations should enable us to play a pivotal role in supporting America’s move toward decarbonization and the electrification of transportation and energy storage. As a member of organizations like the International Responsible Mining Association, and the Zero Emissions Transportation Association, we are committed to protecting and preserving our planet for future generations, and to making economic and social contributions to the communities we serve. For more information, www.piedmontlithium.com.

New Gaston County Ordinances Established Updated Guidelines for Quarries and Mines

Ordinances Align with Operational Plans of Piedmont Lithium’s proposed Carolina Lithium Project

BELMONT, N.C. – Piedmont Lithium Inc. (Nasdaq: PLL; ASX: PLL), a leading developer of lithium hydroxide production to enable the North American electric vehicle supply chain, today responded to new quarry and mining ordinances approved by the Gaston County Board of Commissioners. The ordinances are not specific to Piedmont Lithium’s proposed project but consider all quarry and mining operations in the County as part of a more comprehensive update of Gaston County’s Unified Development Ordinance.

“The new ordinances enacted by Gaston County’s Board of Commissioners are in the best interests of Gaston County’s citizens and its environment, and we appreciate the guidance and clarity the ordinances provide,” said Piedmont President and CEO, Keith Phillips. “We believe the safety and environmental standards currently outlined in our proposed Carolina Lithium Project will meet or exceed the standards set in the newly passed regulations, which align with Piedmont Lithium’s core values and initiatives for sustainable social and environmental practices.”

The Company will continue working with the Gaston County Board of Commissioners for potential future rezoning and with the State of North Carolina regarding Piedmont Lithium’s State Mining Permit application, which was submitted on August 31, 2021.

“We welcome the Commission’s request for a public hearing regarding our State Mining Permit application, and we have also, in fact, formally requested a public hearing ourselves,” said Phillips. “These hearings are common in such permit application proceedings and provide another opportunity for us to receive feedback regarding our Carolina Lithium Project application from the County and members of the community.”

About Piedmont Lithium

Piedmont Lithium is developing a world-class, multi-asset, integrated lithium business focused on enabling the transition to a net zero world and creation of a clean energy economy in North America. The centerpiece of our operations, the Carolina Lithium Project, is located in the renowned Carolina Tin-Spodumene Belt of North Carolina, and when combined with equally strategic and in-demand mineral resources from our long-term supply contracts and equity investments in lithium-based assets in Quebec and Ghana, positions us to be one of the largest, lowest cost, most sustainable producers of battery-grade lithium hydroxide in the world. We will also be strategically located to best serve the fast-growing North American and European electric vehicle and battery storage supply chains. The unique geology, geography and proximity of our resources, future production operations and customer base, will allow us to deliver a valuable continuity of supply of high-quality, sustainably produced lithium hydroxide from spodumene concentrate, preferred by most electric vehicle manufacturers. Our planned diversified operations should enable us to play a pivotal role in supporting America’s move toward decarbonization and the electrification of transportation and energy storage. As a member of the International Responsible Mining Association and the Zero Emissions Transportation Association, we are committed to protecting and preserving our planet for future generations, and to making economic and social contributions to the communities we serve. For more information, www.piedmontlithium.com.

Piedmont Lithium to Participate in Range of Virtual Industry Investor Conferences in September

Will provide updates on recent corporate initiatives and investments driving resource and asset diversification

BELMONT, N.C. – Piedmont Lithium Inc., (“Piedmont” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: PLL; ASX: PLL), a multi-asset company focused on the integrated production of lithium hydroxide to support the North American electric vehicle supply chain, today announced participation in three major industry investor conferences occurring in September:

  • H.C. Wainwright 23rd Annual Global Investment Conference, September 13-15, 2021
  • Evercore ISI Autotech & AI Forum, September 21-22, 2021
  • D.A. Davidson 20th Annual Diversified Industrials & Services Conference, September 22-23, 2021

We’ve been very active lately as an organization working on a number of different strategic initiatives,” said Piedmont Lithium President and CEO, Keith Phillips. “I’m especially looking forward to speaking with the investor community about our recent participation in the acquisition of North American Lithium in Quebec, as well as our investment in Iron Ridge Resources in Ghana. My goal is to communicate the significance of these two initiatives as they relate to the continued growth of our company, and the value of our diversification from a resource standpoint. This will place us in a strong position to support the North American EV supply chain,added Phillips.

About Piedmont Lithium

Piedmont Lithium is developing a world-class, multi-asset, integrated lithium business focused on enabling the transition to a net zero world and the creation of a clean energy economy in North America. The centerpiece of our operations, located in the renowned Carolina Tin Spodumene Belt of North Carolina, when combined with equally strategic and in-demand mineral resources, and production assets in Quebec, and Ghana, positions us to be one of the largest, lowest cost, most sustainable producers of battery-grade lithium hydroxide in the world. We will also be strategically located to best serve the fast-growing North American electric vehicle supply chain. The unique geology, geography and proximity of our resources, production operations and customer base, will allow us to deliver valuable continuity of supply of a high-quality, sustainably produced lithium hydroxide from spodumene concentrate, preferred by most EV manufacturers.  Our planned diversified operations should enable us to play a pivotal role in supporting America’s move toward decarbonization and the electrification of transportation and energy storage. As a member of organizations like the International Responsible Mining Association, and the Zero Emissions Transportation Association, we are committed to protecting and preserving our planet for future generations, and to making economic and social contributions to the communities we serve. For more information, piedmontlithium.com.

Piedmont Submits North Carolina Mine Permit and Draft U.S. Department of Energy Loan Applications

BELMONT, N.C. – Piedmont Lithium Inc., (“Piedmont” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: PLL), a multi-asset company focused on the integrated production of lithium hydroxide to support the North American electric vehicle supply chain, today announced it has submitted two applications related to the Company’s Carolina Lithium Project.

On August 30, 2021, the Company filed its application for a North Carolina State Mining Permit with the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Energy, Mineral and Land Resources.

Additionally, on August 31, 2021, the Company submitted a draft loan application to the U.S. Department of Energy’s Loans Program Office for loan funding via the Advanced Technologies Vehicle Manufacturing (“ATVM”) Loan Program. The ATVM has $17.7 billion in direct loan authority to provide funding to U.S. companies engaged in the manufacturing of fuel efficient, advanced technology vehicles and qualifying components supporting the automotive supply chain.

The timeline for the review and response with respect to each application is subject to the established processes and procedures of the respective responsible agency.

Submitting our mine permit application with the State of North Carolina is an important and necessary step in advancing our Carolina Lithium Project in Gaston County, North Carolina,” said President and CEO of Piedmont Lithium, Keith Phillips. “We have been extremely rigorous in planning our operations, with an intense focus on safety, sustainability, and environmental protections within the communities where we plan to operate. We welcome the review by the State and look forward to their response. And as we consider a variety of funding sources for our Carolina Lithium Project, we’re excited about the possibility of participating in the ATVM Loan Program. This program was specifically designed to assist companies like ours that are working to help build a domestic source of components and materials to support the electric vehicle supply chain in the U.S.,” added Phillips.

To learn more about mining permits in North Carolina, visit: NC DEQ: Mining Program. To learn more about the ATVM Loan Program, visit: Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Loan Program | U.S. Department of Energy.

About Piedmont Lithium

Piedmont Lithium is developing a world-class, multi-asset, integrated lithium business focused on enabling the transition to a net zero world and the creation of a clean energy economy in North America. The centerpiece of our operations, located in the renowned Carolina Tin Spodumene Belt of North Carolina, when combined with equally strategic and in-demand mineral resources, and production assets in Quebec, and Ghana, we believe positions us to be one of the largest, lowest cost, most sustainable producers of battery-grade lithium hydroxide in the world. Our diverse asset base is strategically located to serve the fast-growing North American electric vehicle supply chain. The unique geology, geography and proximity of our resources, production operations and customer base, will allow us to deliver valuable continuity of supply of a high-quality, sustainably produced lithium hydroxide from spodumene concentrate, preferred by most EV manufacturers. We believe that our diversified operations will enable us to play a pivotal role in supporting America’s move toward decarbonization and the electrification of transportation and energy storage. As a member of organizations like the International Responsible Mining Association, and the Zero Emissions Transportation Association, we are committed to protecting and preserving our planet for future generations, and to making economic and social contributions to the communities we serve. For more information, see www.piedmontlithium.com.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of or as described in securities legislation in the United States and Australia, including statements regarding exploration, development and construction activities; current plans for Piedmont’s mineral and chemical processing projects; strategy; and expectations regarding permitting. Such forward-looking statements involve substantial and known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other risk factors, many of which are beyond our control, and which may cause actual timing of events, results, performance or achievements and other factors to be materially different from the future timing of events, results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such risk factors include, among others: (i) that Piedmont will be unable to commercially extract mineral deposits, (ii) that Piedmont’s properties may not contain expected reserves, (iii) risks and hazards inherent in the mining business (including risks inherent in exploring, developing, constructing and operating mining projects, environmental hazards, industrial accidents, weather or geologically related conditions), (iv) uncertainty about Piedmont’s ability to obtain required capital to execute its business plan, (v) Piedmont’s ability to hire and retain required personnel, (vi) changes in the market prices of lithium and lithium products, (vii) changes in technology or the development of substitute products, (viii) the uncertainties inherent in exploratory, developmental and production activities, including risks relating to permitting, zoning and regulatory delays and approvals, (ix) uncertainties inherent in the estimation of lithium resources, (x) risks related to competition, (xi) risks related to the information, data and projections related to Sayona Quebec and IronRidge Resources, (xii) occurrences and outcomes of claims, litigation and regulatory actions, investigations and proceedings, (xiii) risks regarding our ability to achieve profitability, enter into and deliver product under supply agreements on favorable terms, our ability to obtain sufficient financing to develop and construct our projects, our ability to comply with governmental regulations and our ability to obtain necessary permits, and (xiv) other uncertainties and risk factors set out in filings made from time to time with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and the Australian Securities Exchange, including Piedmont’s most recent filings with the SEC. The forward-looking statements, projections and estimates are given only as of the date of this presentation and actual events, results, performance and achievements could vary significantly from the forward-looking statements, projections and estimates presented in this presentation. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Piedmont disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly such forward-looking statements, projections and estimates, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Additionally, Piedmont, except as required by applicable law, undertakes no obligation to comment on analyses, expectations or statements made by third parties in respect of Piedmont, its financial or operating results or its securities.

Piedmont Completes Initial Investment in Ironridge

Strategic Investment in Ghana Lithium Portfolio Supports Growth Plans

  1. Piedmont Lithium has completed a 9.9% investment in IronRidge Resources
  2. Earn-in agreement via staged investments to acquire a 50% stake in IronRidge’s Ghana lithium portfolio
  3. Supply agreement gives Piedmont rights to 50% of Ghanaian spodumene concentrate (“SC6”) production
  4. SC6 supply provides options for staged lithium hydroxide production expansion in North Carolina or Quebec

BELMONT, N.C. – Piedmont Lithium Inc. (Nasdaq: PLL) (“PLL”) is pleased to announce that the Company has completed a 9.9% investment in IronRidge Resources (AIM: IRR) (“IRR”) following satisfaction of conditions pursuant to the Subscription Agreement between PLL and IRR announced July 1, 2021.

Piedmont previously entered into a Project Agreement with IRR to acquire up to 50% of IRR’s lithium portfolio in Ghana via staged investments over 3-4 years supporting exploration, definitive feasibility study, and initial capital costs for IRR’s Ewoyaa Project. The Ewoyaa Project has an initial Mineral Resource estimate of 14.5Mt at 1.31% Li2O[1].

An SC6 supply agreement signed between PLL and IRR in June 2021 gives Piedmont the right to purchase 50% of the production from the Ewoyaa Project at market pricing terms for life-of-mine. A scoping study announced by IRR in January 2021 outlined a business case for 295,000 tons per year (“t/y”) of SC6 production from the Ewoyaa Project. Ewoyaa is approximately 70 miles from the port of Takoradi with favorable logistics to ports in North America[2].

SC6 production from Ewoyaa is expected to support Piedmont’s future lithium hydroxide production plans in North America. Offtake rights from Ewoyaa could support a phased expansion of the Carolina Lithium Project in North Carolina or provide optionality for lithium hydroxide production in Quebec in combination with SC6 offtake from Sayona Quebec and North American Lithium.

Keith D. Phillips, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented: “We are pleased to have concluded this investment in IronRidge and look forward to partnering with IRR to maximize the potential of the Ghana Lithium Portfolio. Ewoyaa is a high-quality asset with the potential for low capital and operating costs, and the broader portfolio offers tremendous exploration upside. We are currently evaluating options for production of lithium hydroxide from Ewoyaa’s SC6 supply and will provide updates as these studies progress. Our Ghanaian investments complement our existing investments in Quebec, and our wholly owned flagship Carolina Lithium Project in Gaston County, North Carolina, as we further execute on our strategy to become North America’s leading lithium hydroxide producer.”

About Piedmont Lithium

Piedmont Lithium (Nasdaq:PLL; ASX:PLL) is developing a world-class, multi-asset, integrated lithium business focused on enabling the transition to a net zero world and the creation of a clean energy economy in North America. The centerpiece of our operations, Carolina Lithium, is located in the renowned Carolina Tin Spodumene Belt of North Carolina. Combining our U.S. assets with equally strategic and in-demand mineral resources, and production assets in Quebec and Ghana, positions us to be one of the largest, lowest cost, most sustainable producers of battery-grade lithium hydroxide in the world. We will also be the most strategically located to best serve the fast-growing North American electric vehicle supply chain. The unique geology, geography and proximity of our resources, production operations and customer base, will allow us to deliver valuable continuity of supply of a high-quality, sustainably produced lithium hydroxide from spodumene concentrate, preferred by most EV manufacturers. Our diversified operations will enable us to play a pivotal role in supporting America’s move toward decarbonization and the electrification of transportation and energy storage. For more information, visit www.piedmontlithium.com.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of or as described in securities legislation in the United States and Australia, including statements regarding exploration, development and construction activities; current plans for Piedmont’s mineral and chemical processing projects; strategy; and expectations regarding permitting. Such forward-looking statements involve substantial and known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other risk factors, many of which are beyond our control, and which may cause actual timing of events, results, performance or achievements and other factors to be materially different from the future timing of events, results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such risk factors include, among others: (i) that Piedmont will be unable to commercially extract mineral deposits, (ii) that Piedmont’s properties may not contain expected reserves, (iii) risks and hazards inherent in the mining business (including risks inherent in exploring, developing, constructing and operating mining projects, environmental hazards, industrial accidents, weather or geologically related conditions), (iv) uncertainty about Piedmont’s ability to obtain required capital to execute its business plan, (v) Piedmont’s ability to hire and retain required personnel, (vi) changes in the market prices of lithium and lithium products, (vii) changes in technology or the development of substitute products, (viii) the uncertainties inherent in exploratory, developmental and production activities, including risks relating to permitting, zoning and regulatory delays, (ix) uncertainties inherent in the estimation of lithium resources, (x) risks related to competition, (xi) risks related to the information, data and projections related to Sayona Quebec and IronRidge Resources, (xii) occurrences and outcomes of claims, litigation and regulatory actions, investigations and proceedings, (xiii) risks regarding our ability to achieve profitability, enter into and deliver product under supply agreements on favorable terms, our ability to obtain sufficient financing to develop and construct our projects, our ability to comply with governmental regulations and our ability to obtain necessary permits, and (xiv) other uncertainties and risk factors set out in filings made from time to time with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and the Australian Securities Exchange, including Piedmont’s most recent filings with the SEC. The forward-looking statements, projections and estimates are given only as of the date of this presentation and actual events, results, performance and achievements could vary significantly from the forward-looking statements, projections and estimates presented in this presentation. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Piedmont disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly such forward-looking statements, projections and estimates, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Additionally, Piedmont, except as required by applicable law, undertakes no obligation to comment on analyses, expectations or statements made by third parties in respect of Piedmont, its financial or operating results or its securities.

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

The information contained herein and previously reported by IronRidge Resources 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”). Comparable terms are now also defined by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) in its newly adopted Modernization of Property Disclosures for Mining Registrants as promogulated in its S-K 1300 standards.  While the guidelines for reporting mineral resources, including subcategories of measured, indicated, and inferred resources, are largely similar for JORC and S-K 1300 standards, information contained herein that describes IronRidge Resources’ mineral deposits is not fully 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 Piedmont does not guaranty or verify the accuracy of any disclosure made by IronRidge Resources.

1 Refer to IRR announcement dated January 28, 2020.

2 Refer to IRR announcement dated January 19, 2021.

Piedmont and Sayona Complete Acquisition of NAL

Creation of Abitibi Hub in Québec for Lithium Projects

  1. Piedmont Lithium and Sayona Mining (ASX:SYA) complete acquisition of North American Lithium
  2. Combining Authier and NAL creates a potential lithium production hub in the Abitibi region of Québec
  3. Studies underway for future restart of lithium production in Québec
  4. Evaluation of alternatives for Québec-based lithium hydroxide manufacturing commencing

BELMONT, N.C. – Piedmont Lithium Inc. (Nasdaq: PLL) is pleased to announce that Sayona Québec has completed its acquisition of North American Lithium Inc. (“NAL”) pursuant to the Share Purchase Agreement previously announced on June 30, 2021. Sayona Quebec is 25% owned by Piedmont Lithium and 75% owned by Sayona Mining. Piedmont Lithium is Sayona Mining’s largest shareholder at 18.8%.

Piedmont and Sayona are now advancing technical studies for the future restart of NAL’s spodumene concentrate operations, with a Scoping Study expected in H2 2021. Additionally, studies have commenced for the manufacturing of lithium chemicals in the Province of Québec, which could position the province to become an important lithium hydroxide production center given its abundant mineral resources, low-cost, sustainable hydro-electric power, proximity to major U.S. and European electric vehicle markets, and pro-electrification stance of provincial leaders.

North American Lithium’s Spodumene Concentrator

Keith D. Phillips, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented: “We are very pleased to have partnered with Sayona in the consolidation of the spodumene resources in the Abitibi region of Québec, with Sayona Québec now comprising a large Canadian lithium resource base. Importantly, North American Lithium is a past-producing business with $400mm of investment over the past decade. NAL’s concentrate operations are amenable to a relatively rapid restart and we will work with Sayona to develop suitable plans in that regard. We are also evaluating a variety of options for production of lithium hydroxide in Québec and will update the market further as our plans crystallize. Piedmont intends to become North America’s leading lithium hydroxide producer and our Québec investments are an ideal complement to our flagship Carolina Lithium Project in Gaston County, North Carolina.”

About Piedmont Lithium

Piedmont Lithium (Nasdaq:PLL; ASX:PLL) is developing a world-class, multi-asset, integrated lithium business focused on enabling the transition to a net zero world and the creation of a clean energy economy in North America. The centerpiece of our operations, Carolina Lithium, is located in the renowned Carolina Tin Spodumene Belt of North Carolina. Combining our U.S. assets with equally strategic and in-demand mineral resources, and production assets in Quebec and Ghana, positions us to be one of the largest, lowest cost, most sustainable producers of battery-grade lithium hydroxide in the world. We will also be the most strategically located to best serve the fast-growing North American electric vehicle supply chain. The unique geology, geography and proximity of our resources, production operations and customer base, will allow us to deliver valuable continuity of supply of a high-quality, sustainably produced lithium hydroxide from spodumene concentrate, preferred by most EV manufacturers. Our diversified operations will enable us to play a pivotal role in supporting America’s move toward decarbonization and the electrification of transportation and energy storage. For more information, visit www.piedmontlithium.com.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of or as described in securities legislation in the United States and Australia, including statements regarding exploration, development and construction activities; current plans for Piedmont’s mineral and chemical processing projects; strategy; and expectations regarding permitting. Such forward-looking statements involve substantial and known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other risk factors, many of which are beyond our control, and which may cause actual timing of events, results, performance or achievements and other factors to be materially different from the future timing of events, results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such risk factors include, among others: (i) that Piedmont will be unable to commercially extract mineral deposits, (ii) that Piedmont’s properties may not contain expected reserves, (iii) risks and hazards inherent in the mining business (including risks inherent in exploring, developing, constructing and operating mining projects, environmental hazards, industrial accidents, weather or geologically related conditions), (iv) uncertainty about Piedmont’s ability to obtain required capital to execute its business plan, (v) Piedmont’s ability to hire and retain required personnel, (vi) changes in the market prices of lithium and lithium products, (vii) changes in technology or the development of substitute products, (viii) the uncertainties inherent in exploratory, developmental and production activities, including risks relating to permitting, zoning and regulatory delays, (ix) uncertainties inherent in the estimation of lithium resources, (x) risks related to competition, (xi) risks related to the information, data and projections related to Sayona Quebec and IronRidge Resources, (xii) occurrences and outcomes of claims, litigation and regulatory actions, investigations and proceedings, (xiii) risks regarding our ability to achieve profitability, enter into and deliver product under supply agreements on favorable terms, our ability to obtain sufficient financing to develop and construct our projects, our ability to comply with governmental regulations and our ability to obtain necessary permits, and (xiv) other uncertainties and risk factors set out in filings made from time to time with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and the Australian Securities Exchange, including Piedmont’s most recent filings with the SEC. The forward-looking statements, projections and estimates are given only as of the date of this presentation and actual events, results, performance and achievements could vary significantly from the forward-looking statements, projections and estimates presented in this presentation. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Piedmont disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly such forward-looking statements, projections and estimates, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Additionally, Piedmont, except as required by applicable law, undertakes no obligation to comment on analyses, expectations or statements made by third parties in respect of Piedmont, its financial or operating results or its securities.