Piedmont Lithium Ltd (ASX:PLL) (OTCMKTS:PLLLY) is commencing a scoping study on its Piedmont Lithium Project located within the world-class Carolina Tin-Spodumene Belt in North Carolina, U.S.
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The company has appointed Primero Group and CSA Global to manage the study.
Keith D. Phillips, president and chief executive officer, said: “The experience and ability that these companies bring to Piedmont Lithium’s scoping study efforts will add value to our exciting project as the company begins its next stage of project development.
“The addition of a conversion plant to the scoping study potentially enhances Piedmont’s position as one of the world’s best-located lithium projects.”
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The scoping study will address an integrated project including mine, concentrator and lithium conversion plant.
The location of the project in mining-friendly North Carolina is expected to provide many positive advantages to the integrated project.
Maiden resource is due in Q2 2018
Piedmont is expected to complete the scoping study early in Q3 2018.
The scoping study will be published shortly after preparing a maiden resource, which is expected in Q2 2018.
Lead engineer brings valuable lithium experience to the project
Primero Group has been appointed as lead engineer and will focus on the concentrator and lithium conversion plant aspects of the study.
Primero brings valuable hard rock lithium experience to the project, having been engaged on recent projects in Australia and Canada at the scoping, feasibility, and project delivery level.
CSA has been appointed to complete the mine design, and has been working with Piedmont on resource geology, quality assurance and database management on the project.
In parallel with these engineering study efforts, Piedmont is expected to begin its permitting process and metallurgical test work programs in Q1 2018.