Piedmont Lithium gets final permit for Tennessee hydroxide plant
Piedmont Lithium (ASX: PLL), a developer in the US of lithium critical to the American electric vehicle supply chain, has received final approval to go ahead with construction of its planned lithium hydroxide plant in Tennessee.
The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation has issued a conditional Major Non-Title V Construction and Air Permit for the company’s proposed plant in McMinn County, whose main city is Athens.
Essentially, this is the permit that covers air quality.
This approval means that Piedmont Lithium now holds all the material permits required to begin project construction.
Will nearly triple US production
The company is to build a plant that will produce 30,000 tonnes per annum of lithium hydroxide.
This output will nearly triple — to 47,000tpa — US production of this key battery product which now stands at 17,000tpa.
The construction phase is targeted for 2024, with first production in 2026.
The plant has an expected capital expense of US$800 million.
Will support US EV and batteries program
President and chief executive officer Keith Phillips said his company is uniquely positioned in America’s emerging battery belt to supply the domestic market with crucial, made-in-America lithium resources.
Since announcing the selection of the site in McMinn County nearly one year ago, the Piedmont team has focused on permitting, engineering and working with local officials.
The plant will support the electric vehicle and battery manufacturing supply chain, he added.
“As demand for lithium hydroxide continues to soar in the US, this conversion facility will be key in the domestic effort to reduce reliance on foreign nations for lithium processing.”
Workforce planning under way
Piedmont Lithium has previously announced what it describes as robust economics in its definitive feasibility study on Tennessee Lithium.
Last October the company was selected by the US Department of Energy to receive a US$141.7 million grant to support project construction.
Piedmont Lithium is planning to raise the remaining financing from partners or lenders.
Meanwhile, the company is developing planning for local office space.
Workforce development activities have also begun with local technical schools in terms of key training programs and curricula for certain positions at the new plant.
The company will be hiring about 120 people to work in the completed plant.