Piedmont Lithium gets extension as it pursues NC permit for local mine

Piedmont Lithium is proposing a massive mine in Gaston County that has drawn the ire of residents and county leaders. Before it can begin to operate, critical state and local approvals are still needed. (Charlotte Business Journal)

By Charlotte Business Journal

GASTON COUNTY, N.C. — The lengthy state mining permit application process for Piedmont Lithium Inc.’s proposed Gaston County operation is still ongoing. It seems it could continue for several more months.

[ RELATED: Piedmont Lithium reaches amended deal to supply Tesla with EV battery materials ]

State documents show that earlier in January, N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Energy, Mineral and Land Resources granted another extension to Piedmont Lithium in the process. The state requested additional information from Piedmont Lithium for the application process last year, but gave an extension for a response until Jan. 8.

After the latest extension, the new deadline is May 1. Piedmont Lithium initially applied for the mining permit in 2021 and has been engaged in the state approvals process since then.

Read more here.

(WATCH RELATED STORY: Piedmont Lithium CEO: Mining operation is safe for residents)

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