Piedmont Lithium has released its inaugural sustainability report, Progressing with Purpose, reaffirming its commitment to responsible stewardship of the planet, people, and communities where its Tennessee Lithium and Carolina Lithium operations are located.
Piedmont President and CEO Keith Phillips stated that the company is in a unique position to define its own route as it embarks on its environmental, social, and governance (“ESG”) journey.
“We are fortunate to be starting from a clean slate with the full ability to build sustainability into the foundation of our organization. Our inaugural sustainability report represents an important first step in formalizing our ESG efforts as we develop our operations. We are pleased to share our plans with our stakeholders as we advance our projects in Tennessee and North Carolina and our equity interests in Quebec and Ghana,” Phillips said.
The sustainability report represents goals that will guide the company’s ESG approach and is organised around four major pillars: planet, people, communities, and governance. Among the highlights are:
- Plans for modern technologies and practices to minimise climatic and environmental concerns, including the Metso alkaline pressure leaching method for refining spodumene concentrate.
- Water management systems that minimise use while guaranteeing effective treatment, monitoring, and mitigation.
- A progressive reclamation strategy at Carolina Lithium to ensure appropriate land use, with intentions to rehabilitate and have the site ready for post-operational usage as soon as it can be done.
- Completed surveys on biodiversity to comprehend native species, save ecosystems, and reduce damage.
- Efforts to create a corporate culture in which safety and health, as well as diversity, equity, and inclusion, are central to engaging the Company’s staff around future goals and objectives.
- Responsible sourcing considerations and obligations as the Company’s initiatives progress.
- Plans for modern mining practices and cutting-edge technologies to reduce the impact of noise and vibration on neighbours near Carolina Lithium.
- Investor, government, and community engagement efforts to assist the Company in informing and collaborating with important stakeholders as it develops its projects.
- Civic investments undertaken in communities where Piedmont intends to operate to assist in securing long-term socioeconomic growth.
- The economic impact, job creation, and workforce development efforts that the Company expects to arise from the construction and operation of Carolina Lithium and Tennessee Lithium.
