Piedmont Expands Land Position

  • Piedmont increases land position at its Piedmont Lithium Project by 15% to 1,383 acres
  • Core Property expanded by 93 acres or 18% to a total of 622 acres
  • Contiguous land acquisitions are along strike from current Mineral Resource
  • Drill targets being finalized and will be incorporated in upcoming Phase 4 Drill Program
  • All deals structured as options or deferred purchases to minimize upfront cash outlay 

NEW YORK, Dec. 05, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Piedmont Lithium Limited (“Piedmont” or “Company”) is pleased to advise that the Company has increased its exploration land position to 1,383 acres. The land acquisitions include properties within the Carolina Tin Spodumene Belt (122 acres), and preferred locations for our concentrator and mine infrastructure (49 acres). Importantly, these acquisitions include 93 acres which are contiguous to the Core Property land package increasing it to a total of 622 acres. The Company also controls a 60-acre parcel in Kings Mountain, North Carolina for the site of the Company’s planned Chemical Plant.

Figure 1.
Land map showing the newly acquired properties

A graphic accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3b9cd659-0eba-4b1b-a7fb-0fd4ed751612

These important additions were achieved via a combination of option agreements and deferred purchase contracts, making effective use of Company funds to maximize exploration opportunities.

Keith D. Phillips, President and Chief Executive Officer, said, “We continue to pursue our strategy of adding to our dominant land position in the Carolina Tin-Spodumene Belt. We have found high-grade mineralization in over 90% of the holes we’ve drilled on the TSB, and our expectation is that the larger our land position the larger our ultimate resource and mine life will be. We are particularly excited to add 18% to the size of our Core Property and are hopeful that we will be able to expand our mineral resource and mine life proportionately. Notably, these land additions – like the vast majority of our existing properties – are controlled via lease/option or deferred purchase contracts to minimize the use of cash on a pre-development basis.”

Piedmont has increased its land position by 184 acres to 1,383 acres. The most significant tracts, with regards to the current resource, are in the south-east and western portions of the Core Property. In the south east, a newly acquired 55-acre tract adds over 600 meters of highly prospective strike length along the F Corridor and a newly acquired 20 acres in the west adds over 400 meters of highly prospective strike length along the B Corridor. These two properties have significant potential to add to the current resource of 16.2 Mt @ 1.12% Li2O (reported June 2018) defined on the Core Property.

Late phase 3 drilling, along the F Corridor, traced mineralization to the southwest suggesting that strike and downdip extensions of known spodumene bearing pegmatites could extend onto the newly acquired 55-acre tract. Within the 55-acre tract, one area of subcrop of spodumene bearing pegmatite has been identified, a grab sample from this subcrop assayed 1.21% Li2O.

To the west, indicated and inferred classified resource blocks exist immediately adjacent to the northeast and southwest boundaries of the newly acquired 20-acre property. It is expected that mineralization extends onto the newly acquired tract.

Piedmont is planning additional drilling to upgrade portions of the Inferred resource to Indicated classification, convert Exploration Target areas to Indicated where possible, explore the newly acquired properties and follow-up drilling on the Central property.

Land acquisitions also feature the Company’s preferred concentrator and waste rock disposal locations as identified in the Company’s Updated Scoping Study announcement dated September 2018. The Company is designing condemnation drilling programs for 2019 completion in these areas.

Finally, several off-trend properties have been acquired by the Company for consideration as potential future waste rock disposal, possible exchange properties for on-trend parcels, buffer zones, or as conservation targets for mitigation purposes.

Piedmont Lithium Inc. has entered into exclusive option agreements and land acquisition agreements with local landowners, which upon exercise, allow the Company to purchase (or in some cases long-term lease) 1,383 acres of surface property and the associated mineral rights from the local landowners. The new properties being the subject of this announcement total 184 acres, of which 142 acres have been acquired under land acquisition agreements and 42 acres have been optioned under land option agreements, on substantially the same terms as the Company’s existing land option agreements. The Company also controls a 60-acre parcel in Kings Mountain, North Carolina for the site of the Company’s planned Chemical Plant.

The Company’s strategy remains to consolidate the region between newly secured and historic landholdings with emphasis towards on-trend properties and sufficient off-trend for potential infrastructure development, mitigation, and future land exchanges.

Click here to view the ASX announcement

For further information, contact:

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

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September 2018 Quarterly Report

NEW YORK, Oct. 31, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Piedmont Lithium Limited (ASX: PLL; NASDAQ: PLLL) (“Piedmont” or “Company”) is pleased to present its September 2018 quarterly report.

Highlights during and subsequent to the quarter were:

  • Completed an updated Scoping Study for the Company’s Piedmont Lithium Project (“Project”), located within the Carolina Tin-Spodumene Belt (“TSB”) in the United States, which delivered outstanding results including:
    • compelling economics due to attractive capital and operating costs, significant by-product credits, short transportation distances, minimal royalties and low corporate income taxes;
    • a chemical plant producing 22,700tpa of lithium hydroxide supported by an open pit mine and concentrator producing 170,000tpa of 6% spodumene concentrate; and
    • by-product quartz (99,000tpa), feldspar (125,000tpa), and mica (15,500tpa) providing credits to the cost of lithium production;
  • Completed bench-scale metallurgical testwork program to produce consistent high-grade spodumene concentrates (Li2O>6.0%) with low iron content (Fe2O3<1%);
  • Completed Mineral Resource estimates and bench-scale metallurgical testwork for by-product quartz, feldspar and mica as by-products of spodumene concentrate from the Project;
  • Commenced permitting on the Project for all federal, state and local permits, which is targeted for completion in 2019;
  • Completed initial exploratory drilling on the Company’s new Sunnyside and Central properties in the TSB, which returned encouraging results, including the Project’s widest intercept to-date.

Next steps:

  • Piedmont will now move forward with a Pre-Feasibility Study (“PFS”) on the Project, targeted for completion during 2019;
  • Additional drilling is planned on the core property to potentially extend the mine life by converting the new Exploration Target into a Mineral Resource;
  • Further metallurgical studies, including evaluating the potential for a Dense Medium Separation (“DMS”) before the flotation circuit, to further enhance operating costs in the concentrator;
  • Complete permit applications and secure the necessary permits to commence mining and processing operations at the Project; and
  • Continued expansion of the Company’s land position in the Carolina Tin-Spodumene Belt (“TSB”) with a focus on areas of high mineral prospectivity.

Click here to view the quarterly report.

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

 

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Appointment of Lithium Industry Veteran Timothy McKenna as Government and Public Relations Advisor

  • Mr. McKenna has more than 35 years’ experience in government and public relations
  • Created Rockwood Lithium’s investor relations and communications program and served with Rockwood until its acquisition by Albemarle Corporation
  • Most recently served in a government and public relations role with Lithium X

NEW YORK, Oct. 22, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Piedmont Lithium Limited (“Piedmont” or “Company”) is pleased to announce that it has appointed Mr. Timothy McKenna as an advisor to the Company.  Tim will assist with government and public relations for the Company’s planned development of its integrated lithium hydroxide business in the historic Carolina Tin-Spodumene Belt in North Carolina, USA.

Mr. McKenna has over 35 years’ experience in government and public relations roles including a role as vice president of Rockwood Holdings, Inc. in government and investor relations from 2006 until Rockwood’s acquisition by Albemarle Corporation.  While with Rockwood, Tim helped create an investor relations and communications program and was instrumental in helping Rockwood secure a US$28 million grant from the US Department of Energy to expand operations in North Carolina and Nevada.

Tim most recently served as vice president US government relations, investor relations, and corporate communications for Lithium X Energy Corp. until its successful acquisition by Nextview New Energy Lion Hong Kong Limited.  Prior to his time in the lithium business, Tim held senior government and investor relations roles with Fortune 500 industrial companies Smurfit-Stone Container and Union Camp.

Keith D. Phillips, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented: “We are pleased to welcome Tim to our team.  Tim is a seasoned government and investor relations professional and his 12 years of experience in the lithium sector will help us build strong relationships with regulators and elected officials in North Carolina and at the federal level, where lithium is increasingly viewed as a material that is critical to US energy and national security.

For further information, contact:

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

 

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Encouraging Initial Drilling Results From New Central and Sunnyside Properties

  • Piedmont has received assay results from initial drilling at its new Central and Sunnyside properties
  • 7 holes were completed at Sunnyside and 3 holes were completed at Central
  • Both properties yielded significant intercepts of high-grade lithium mineralisation, including:

    • 34.0m @ 1.04% Li2O of continuous mineralization across one pegmatite in Hole 18-CT-002
    • 20.9m @ 1.42% Li2O of continuous mineralization across one pegmatite in Hole 18-SS-001 

NEW YORK, Oct. 16, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Piedmont Lithium Limited (“Piedmont” or “Company”) is pleased to advise that the Company has received all assays results from its initial exploratory drilling on its new Sunnyside and Central properties in the Carolina Tin-Spodumene Belt (“TSB“) in North Carolina, United States. This maiden drill program comprised 10 holes, 7 from Sunnyside and 3 from Central, totalling 1,411 meters.

Keith D. Phillips, President and Chief Executive Officer, said: “We are exceedingly happy with the initial results from Central and Sunnyside, with Hole 18-CT-002 in particular being the widest intercept encountered to-date.  We have delineated a world-class resource of 16.2Mt @ 1.12% Li2O at our Core property, supporting a project life of 13 years as reported in our recent Scoping Study.  These initial results at Central and Sunnyside indicate the potential for a significant project life extension.”

Piedmont is encouraged by the initial drill results from Central and Sunnyside properties and is designing follow up drill campaigns for both.  In addition, over 650 soil samples have been collected and over 33-line kilometres of walking magnetometer geophysical surveys have been undertaken on the properties. Soil assays are still pending and will be paired with the geophysical data to produce drill targets for the properties.

Click here to view the ASX announcement.

About Piedmont Lithium

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

For further information, contact:

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

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Piedmont Lithium Upcoming Conference Participation

NEW YORK, Oct. 03, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Piedmont Lithium Limited (ASX: PLL, Nasdaq International: PLLL) (“Piedmont” or “Company”) is pleased to announce that it will be attending or presenting at the following conferences in the United States:

Event:                   The Money Show
Date:                     October 3-5
Location:              Hyatt Regency, Dallas, TX

Event:                   S&P Platts Battery Metals Conference 
Date:                     October 16-17, 2018
Location:              New York Marriott Brooklyn Bridge, New York, NY 

Event:                   Benchmark Minerals CATHODES 2018 
Date:                     October 24-25, 2018
Location:              Balboa Beach Resort, Newport Beach, CA

Event:                   New Orleans 2018 Investment Conference
Date:                     November 1-4, 2018
Location:              Hilton New Orleans, Riverside, New Orleans, LA

For investors attending any of these events please contact Piedmont Investor Relations to schedule a meeting with Piedmont management at ir@piedmontlithium.com

Keith D. Phillips
President & CEO
T: +1 973-809-0505
Anastasios (Taso) Arima
Executive Director
T: +1 347-899-1522
 

 

About Piedmont Lithium

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

Piedmont Lithium Locations within the Carolina Tin-Spodumene Belt Forward Looking Statements

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

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Updated Scoping Study Improves Project Economics

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

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

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

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

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

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

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

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

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

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

Click here to view the ASX announcement.

For further information, contact:

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


About Piedmont Lithium

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

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

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

 

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By-Product Mineral Resource Estimates

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

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

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

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

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

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

Click here to view the ASX announcement.

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

About Piedmont Lithium

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

Forward Looking Statements

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

Competent Persons Statement

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Click here to view the ASX announcement

For further information, contact:

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

About Piedmont Lithium

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

Forward Looking Statements

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

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

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

Competent Persons Statement

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Click here to view the ASX announcement

For further information, contact:

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

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

About Piedmont Lithium

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

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

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

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

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