Name of the Project
Tennessee lithium project.

Location
North Etowah Industrial Park, in McMinn County, Tennessee, in the US.

Project Owner/s
Piedmont Lithium.

Project Description
The Tennessee lithium definitive feasibility study (DFS) results demonstrate a robust technical and financial case for Piedmont to establish a merchant lithium hydroxide manufacturing business in the US using spodumene concentrate from market sources, including the existing offtake agreements secured by the company in 2021.

The DFS has concluded that the project will operate for 30 years and produce 30 000 t/y of lithium hydroxide.

Potential Job Creation
Not stated.

Net Present Value/Internal Rate of Return
The project has an estimated net present value, at an 8% discount rate, of $2.5-billion and an after-tax net present value of 32%, with a payback of 5.3 years from the start of production.

Capital Expenditure
Initial capital is estimated at $809-million.

Planned Start/End Date
The project is expected to start construction in the third quarter of 2024.

Latest Developments
To reach a possible final investment decision in 2024, the company aims to complete front-end engineering design (FEED), continue the permitting activities associated with the project, undertake additional pilot testwork programmes with Metso:Outotec, begin detailed design engineering and continue project financing discussions.

Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
Kiewit Engineering Group (FEED contractor); Primero Group Americas (lithium hydroxide plant design and overall study integration); Metso:Outotec (manufacturing technology package); HDR Engineering (environmental and permitting support and project controls); Carolina Material Technologies (product packaging plant designer); and PLG Consulting (spodumene logistics consultants).

Contact Details for Project Information
Piedmont Lithium, tel +1 704 461 8000 or email info@piedmontlithium.com.