Piedmont Lithium Inc., 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.”