Piedmont Lithium Responds to Short Report
March 09 2023 - 09:16AM
Business Wire
Piedmont Lithium Inc. (“Piedmont” or “Company”) (Nasdaq:PLL;
ASX:PLL), a leading global developer of lithium resources
critical to the U.S. electric vehicle (“EV”) supply chain, is aware
of a recent report published by Blue Orca Capital ("Short Report"),
which contains allegations in relation to Atlantic Lithium
Limited’s ("Atlantic") lithium project in Ghana.
Piedmont notes that Atlantic has denied the allegations
contained in the Short Report and outrightly refutes the
allegations of impropriety made by the Short Report. Atlantic's
response to the Short Report has now been released and is available
on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange.
Piedmont notes that Atlantic’s recent application for a Mining
License for its lithium project in Ghana excludes the two licenses
purchased as part of its acquisition of Joy Transporters Ltd
referred to in the Short Report, which do not form part of
Atlantic’s defined resources for its Ghana lithium project.
Piedmont has the right to purchase 50% of Atlantic’s production
of spodumene concentrate from its Ghana lithium project, at market
prices on a life-of-mine basis, and to earn a 50% interest in the
Ghanaian projects. Piedmont currently contemplates utilizing
spodumene concentrate from this offtake agreement as partial feed
for its proposed Tennessee Lithium hydroxide plant. However, if for
any reason Piedmont does not exercise its right to this offtake
supply, the Company is confident that alternative sources of
spodumene concentrate would be available to feed the Tennessee
facility, as current and future spodumene producers seek to feed
the growing U.S. electric vehicle market and qualify for the
benefits available under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022.
Piedmont also notes that the publisher of the Short Report
discloses that it has a short interest in Piedmont's shares and
therefore stands to realize significant gains from a decline in
Piedmont's share price.
Atlantic and Piedmont will seek legal advice to address the
claims made by the Report.
This announcement has been authorized for release by the
Company's CEO, Keith Phillips.
About Piedmont Lithium
Piedmont Lithium (Nasdaq:PLL; ASX:PLL) is developing a
world-class, multi-asset, integrated lithium business focused on
enabling the transition to a net zero world and the creation of a
clean energy economy in North America. Our goal is to become one of
the largest lithium hydroxide producers in North America by
processing spodumene concentrate produced from assets where we hold
an economic interest. Our projects include our Carolina Lithium and
Tennessee Lithium projects in the United States and partnerships in
Quebec with Sayona Mining (ASX:SYA) and in Ghana with Atlantic
Lithium (AIM:ALL; ASX:A11). These geographically diversified
operations will enable us to play a pivotal role in supporting
America’s move toward energy independence and the electrification
of transportation and energy storage. For more information, follow
us on Twitter @PiedmontLithium and visit
www.piedmontlithium.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within
the meaning of or as described in securities legislation in the
United States and Australia, including statements regarding
exploration, development, construction and sales activities of
Sayona Mining, Atlantic Lithium and Piedmont; current plans for
Piedmont’s mineral and chemical processing projects; and strategy.
Such forward-looking statements involve substantial and known and
unknown risks, uncertainties, and other risk factors, many of which
are beyond our control, and which may cause actual timing of
events, results, performance or achievements and other factors to
be materially different from the future timing of events, results,
performance, or achievements expressed or implied by the
forward-looking statements. Such risk factors include, among
others: (i) that Piedmont, Sayona Mining or Atlantic Lithium will
be unable to commercially extract or deliver mineral deposits to
Tesla, LG Chem or otherwise, (ii) that Piedmont’s, Sayona Mining’s
or Atlantic Lithium’s properties may not contain expected reserves,
(iii) risks and hazards inherent in the mining business (including
risks inherent in exploring, developing, constructing and operating
mining projects, environmental hazards, industrial accidents,
weather or geologically related conditions), (iv) uncertainty about
Piedmont’s ability to obtain required capital to execute its
business plan, (v) Piedmont’s ability to hire and retain required
personnel, (vi) changes in the market prices of lithium and lithium
products, (vii) changes in technology or the development of
substitute products, (viii) the uncertainties inherent in
exploratory, developmental and production activities, including
risks relating to permitting, zoning and regulatory delays related
to our projects as well as the projects of our partners in Quebec
and Ghana, (ix) uncertainties inherent in the estimation of lithium
resources, (x) risks related to competition, (xi) risks related to
the information, data and projections related to, and our
investments in minority interests in, Sayona Mining or Atlantic
Lithium, (xii) occurrences and outcomes of claims, litigation and
regulatory actions, investigations and proceedings, (xiii) risks
regarding our ability to achieve profitability, enter into and
deliver product under supply agreements on favorable terms, our
ability to obtain sufficient financing to develop and construct our
projects, our ability to comply with governmental regulations and
our ability to obtain necessary permits, and (xiv) other
uncertainties and risk factors set out in filings made from time to
time with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and
the Australian Securities Exchange, including Piedmont’s most
recent filings with the SEC. The forward-looking statements,
projections and estimates are given only as of the date of this
press release and actual events, results, performance, and
achievements could vary significantly from the forward-looking
statements, projections and estimates presented in this press
release. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on
forward-looking statements. Piedmont disclaims any intent or
obligation to update publicly such forward-looking statements,
projections, and estimates, whether as a result of new information,
future events or otherwise. Additionally, Piedmont, except as
required by applicable law, undertakes no obligation to comment on
analyses, expectations or statements made by third parties in
respect of Piedmont, its financial or operating results or its
securities.
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version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230309005518/en/
Erin Sanders SVP, Corporate Communications & Investor
Relations T: +1 704 575 2549 E: esanders@piedmontlithium.com
Christian Healy/Jeff Siegel Media Inquiries E:
Christian@dlpr.com E: Jeff@dlpr.com
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