NAL Achieves Record Quarterly Production, Carolina Lithium Mining Permit Received

• Record quarterly production at NAL with recoveries exceeding target; full run-rate production on track for H2’24
• Piedmont plans full-year customer shipments of approximately 126,000 dry metric tons (“dmt”), weighted to H2’24
• Carolina Lithium mining permit issued in May 2024, accelerating funding discussions
• Revenue of $13.4 million on sales of approximately 15,500 dmt of spodumene concentrate
• $71.4 million in cash as of March 31, 2024; working capital nearly doubled from 2023 year end
• 2024 outlook for shipments to more than double and investments to decrease more than 50% in H2’24 vs. H1’24

BELMONT, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--$PLL #EV--Piedmont Lithium Inc. (“Piedmont,” the “Company,” "we," "our," or "us") (Nasdaq: PLL; ASX: PLL), a leading North American supplier of lithium products critical to the U.S. electric vehicle supply chain, today reported its first quarter 2024 financial results.

North American Lithium (“NAL”), the largest producing spodumene operation in North America, achieved record quarterly production of 40,439 dry metric tons (“dmt”) of spodumene concentrate in Q1’24. NAL lithium recoveries of 69% in March 2024 exceeded plan and set a new monthly record. Overall safety performance improved as NAL recorded its lowest quarterly incident rate since the restart of operations in March 2023. Construction of the crushed ore storage dome at NAL was materially completed during Q1’24 with commissioning advancing in Q2’24. This capital project, along with other improvements, is expected to result in increased NAL production and a reduction in NAL’s unit operating costs. NAL management estimates operations will achieve full run-rate production in H2’24. NAL is jointly owned by Piedmont (25%) and Sayona Mining Limited ("Sayona Mining") (75%).

In North Carolina, Piedmont achieved a significant milestone in May 2024 with the receipt of the mining permit for Carolina Lithium, a strategic project situated in the U.S. Battery Belt. The mining permit is a catalyst for accelerating discussions with potential funding parties, including government loan agencies and strategic partners who could provide capital, offtake, and technical support. The Company expects, based on its published technical studies, Carolina Lithium to be a low-cost producer of spodumene concentrate and lithium hydroxide and a key contributor to U.S. energy security. The project should benefit from exceptional infrastructure, minimal transport distances, low energy costs, a deep local talent pool, and proximity to cathode and battery customers as well as by-product markets. The competitive corporate tax regime offered in the U.S., the absence of significant royalties, and the benefits inherent in the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 should also provide advantages to the project.

“We are very pleased with developments during the first quarter, including the milestones attained in Quebec and North Carolina. NAL achieved records in both safety performance and production in Q1’24, and the outlook is promising with the commissioning of the crushed ore dome currently underway. 2024 will be a year of two halves, with Piedmont shipments expected to more than double from H1’24 to H2’24 as we begin to emphasize shipments to core customers under long-term agreements, and Piedmont capital expenditures and investment in affiliates to fall by over 50% in H2’24 vs H1’24,” said Keith Phillips, President and Chief Executive Officer of Piedmont. “Carolina Lithium is one of only two significant spodumene projects in the United States, and receipt of our mining permit is a critical step in its development. We will now focus our efforts on aggressively pursuing strategic partnering and other funding conversations for our foundational asset. We also fortified our balance sheet by monetizing certain non-core investments during the quarter, and we are well-positioned to advance our projects with a continued focus on minimizing dilution to Piedmont shareholders.”

First Quarter 2024 Financial Highlights

All references to dry metric tons (“dmt”) in this release relate to spodumene concentrate.

First Quarter and Recent Business Highlights

Piedmont Lithium

• Shipped approximately 15,500 dmt (~5.5% Li₂O) of spodumene concentrate from NAL to customers in Q1’24.
• In Q1’24, we sold our entire holdings in Sayona Mining and a portion of our holdings in Atlantic Lithium Limited ("Atlantic Lithium") for net proceeds of $49.1 million. The sale of our shares in Sayona Mining resulted in net proceeds of $41.4 million, a taxable gain of $22 million based on net proceeds less acquisition costs, and a reportable loss of $17.2 million driven by historical non-cash gains on dilution in Sayona Mining. The sale of our shares in Atlantic Lithium resulted in net proceeds of $7.7 million, a taxable gain of $1.1 million, and a reportable gain of $3.1 million. The sale of these shares had no impact on our joint ventures or offtake arrangements with either Sayona Quebec or Atlantic Lithium.
• In February 2024, we initiated a cost-savings plan designed to reduce operating expenses by $10 million annually and defer 2024 capital spending to 2025. As part of this plan, we reduced our workforce by 28% and recorded $1.8 million in severance and severance-related costs, which includes $0.6 million of non-cash charges associated with accelerated stock compensation expense, in the first quarter of 2024. We expect to recognize the majority of our cost savings in 2024.
• In March 2024, Ms. Dawne Hickton, an accomplished leader in the aerospace, energy, and metals industries, was appointed to Piedmont’s Board of Directors, further diversifying the Board’s executive, operational, and strategic guidance to the Company.
• In Q1’24, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York granted Piedmont’s motion to dismiss a securities class action lawsuit, originally filed in July 2021, against Piedmont and two of its executives, which also resulted in the related derivative actions being dismissed.

North American Lithium (Quebec, Canada)

• In Q1’24, NAL achieved record quarterly production of approximately 40,400 dmt and shipped approximately 58,000 dmt, of which approximately 15,500 dmt were sold to Piedmont. Quarterly production increased by 18% compared to the prior quarter. Safety performance also improved as NAL achieved its lowest quarterly recordable incident rate since restarting operations in March 2023.
• In March 2024, operations at NAL achieved a record production month with 15,699 dmt of spodumene concentrate produced and three daily production records set between 710 dmt and 750 dmt. Lithium recoveries reached a record 69%, exceeding the ramp-up target of 67%.
• In April 2024, following a detailed operational review, the joint venture partners of NAL agreed to complete several ongoing capital project initiatives and continue operations with the goal of completing ramp-up activities to achieve steady-state production in 2024.
• In Q1’24, progress continued on two important capital improvement projects – a new crushed ore storage dome and a crushed ore re-feed system. These projects are expected to result in production increases and unit cost improvements. Commissioning is expected to conclude for both projects in May 2024.
• Concentrate produced and shipped by NAL and concentrate shipped by Piedmont:

Carolina Lithium (North Carolina)

• In May 2024, Piedmont received the finalized mining permit for the construction, operation, and reclamation of Carolina Lithium following the posting of a $1 million reclamation bond to the state of North Carolina. The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Energy, Mineral, and Land Resources approved the mining permit application on April 12, 2024.
• Receipt of the state mining permit allows the Company to accelerate discussions with funding parties, including government loan agencies and strategic partners who could provide capital, offtake, and technical support. The Company’s goal is to put in place a strong funding plan that will maximize value for Piedmont shareholders.
• Piedmont continues to engage with community stakeholders, including the Gaston County Board of Commissioners.

Ewoyaa Project (Ghana)

• In January 2024, the Minerals Income Investment Fund, Ghana’s sovereign wealth fund, commenced its investment in Atlantic Lithium through its purchase of Atlantic Lithium’s common stock totaling $5 million.
• In February 2024, Mr. Patrick Brindle, Piedmont’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, stepped down as a member of Atlantic Lithium’s board of directors due to our reduction in ownership of Atlantic Lithium.

Tennessee Lithium (Tennessee)

• Tennessee Lithium remains a key part of our development pipeline as a permitted project. Piedmont is evaluating the timeline of project development given the recent receipt of the state mining permit for Carolina Lithium.
• In April 2024, the Company exited the purchase agreement for a nearby industrial complex and continues to negotiate a renewal of our option agreement for the planned project site.

2024 Outlook

NAL is forecasted to achieve full run-rate production in H2’24. Under our offtake agreement with Sayona Quebec, Piedmont has the right to purchase the greater of 50% of production or 113,000 dmt/year. Based on the production projection and per the Company’s offtake agreement, Piedmont expects to ship approximately 126,000 dmt of spodumene concentrate in 2024, with quarterly variations due to shipping logistics and customer requirements. A shipment of approximately 13,200 dmt of spodumene concentrate held over from 2023, combined with our planned 113,000 dmt annual offtake from NAL, provides the basis for full-year shipment outlook. We are prioritizing contract customer shipments, weighted to H2’24, which we expect will provide more stable price realizations and reduce reliance on volatile spot market sales.

The majority of forecasted capital expenditures relate to Carolina Lithium and Tennessee Lithium. Investments in and advances to affiliates reflect cash contributions to Sayona Quebec and advances to Atlantic Lithium for the Ewoyaa project. Our outlook for forecasted capital expenditures and investments in and advances to affiliates is subject to market conditions.

Piedmont is in the process of retaining a financial advisor to assist in developing funding options for Ewoyaa that would minimize dilution to Piedmont shareholders.

Safety and Sustainability

In Q1’24, Piedmont continued to focus on building a culture of safety and awareness among employees. The Company began 2024 with a heightened focus on ramping up training requirements as part of the long-term objective to establish a robust safety and health management system. Increased identification and reporting of hazards improved along with strategies for addressing unsafe conditions.

Additionally, Piedmont prioritized its social commitments to key stakeholders, continuing engagement with community members about project development plans for our planned Carolina Lithium project. A town hall, one-on-one meetings with neighbors, tours of the field office, civic sponsorships, and a range of other community activities were conducted to inform community members and ensure their needs, values, and perspectives are taken into consideration as we advance the project.

Piedmont is targeting Q2’24 for the release of its annual Sustainability Report.

Q1 2024 Earnings Call

Piedmont’s earnings presentation and supporting material are available at: https://piedmontlithium.com/investors-overview/.

About Piedmont

Piedmont Lithium Inc. (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). We believe 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.

Cautionary Note to U.S. Investors

Piedmont’ public disclosures are governed by the U.S. Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including Regulation S-K 1300 thereunder, whereas NAL discloses estimates of “easured,”“ndicated,”and “nferred”mineral resources as such terms are used in the JORC Code and Canada’ National Instrument 43-101. Although S-K 1300, the JORC Code, and NI 43-101 have similar goals in terms of conveying an appropriate level of confidence in the disclosures being reported, they at times embody different approaches or definitions. Consequently, investors are cautioned that public disclosures by NAL prepared in accordance with the JORC Code or NI 43-101 may not be comparable to similar information made public by companies, including Piedmont, subject to S-K 1300 and the other reporting and disclosure requirements under the U.S. federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder.

The statements in the link below were prepared by, and made by, NAL. The following disclosures are not statements of Piedmont and have not been independently verified by Piedmont. NAL is not subject to U.S. reporting requirements or obligations, and investors are cautioned not to put undue reliance on these statements. NAL’ original announcements can be found here: https://www.asx.com.au/markets/company/sya.

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 production activities of Sayona Mining, Atlantic Lithium, and Piedmont; current plans for Piedmont’s mineral and chemical processing projects; Piedmont’s potential acquisition of an ownership interest in Ewoyaa; 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 may be unable to commercially extract mineral deposits, (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 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.

Contacts

Erin Sanders
SVP, Corporate Communications & Investor Relations

+1 704 575 2549

[email protected]

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