Mining permit granted for controversial Carolina Lithium project [Video]

GASTON CO., N.C. (WBTV) – The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Energy, Mineral, and Land Resources has issued a mining permit for the Piedmont Lithium Carolinas, the department announced Tuesday.

The operation will cover 1,548 acres in Gaston County, of which 964 acres are bonded for disturbance.

The area is located within the Carolina Tin-Spodumene Belt and Battery Belt.

Piedmont announced in April that the permit would be approved.

[NCDEQ grants permit for proposed Carolina Lithium project]

The mine has been in the works since its proposal in 2021. The project as a whole has been called the Carolina Lithium project.

Several modern devices require lithium-ion batteries to operate, including wireless earbuds, cars, and tools.

The permit was issued with operational limits.

[Concern over Piedmont Lithium mine project continues; company seeks procedural matter with Cherryville]

Conditions of the permit were based upon the Mining Act of 1971, and include provisions related to wastewater …