Climate Change Data

Piedmont Lithium Inc.

Climate Impact & Sustainability Data (2021, 2023)

Reporting Period: 2021

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

  • Safety
  • Environment
  • Operational Excellence
  • People
  • Community

Environmental Achievements

  • Projected carbon intensity to be half that of incumbent producers of lithium hydroxide starting with spodumene mined in Western Australia and chemically refined in China. Projected water usage 1/100th or less per tonne of lithium hydroxide produced compared to brine-based producers.
  • Metso Outotec process that will reduce emissions, eliminate sulfuric acid roasting, and minimize solid waste
  • Solar power generation, in-pit crushing, and electric conveyors will reduce reliance on carbon-based energy sources

Social Achievements

  • Expanded team 6-fold, adding experienced professionals in lithium processing across management, operations, and technical teams.
  • Increased leadership diversity across the organization.
  • Initiated first Lifecycle Assessment comparing proposed operations to existing operations in Australia, China, and South America.

Governance Achievements

  • Redomiciliation from Australia to the United States, changing primary listing from ASX to Nasdaq.
  • Added intellectual capital and diversity to the Board.

Climate Goals & Targets

Long-term Goals:
  • Achieve carbon intensity of Net Zero on Scope 1 and 2 emissions with best-in-class total performance including Scope 3 emissions.

Environmental Challenges

  • Working closely with Federal, State and Local officials to obtain final permits and zoning needed to begin production on the Carolina Lithium Project.
  • Challenges related to COVID-19 impacting contractor ability to maintain drilling crews at full capacity.
Mitigation Strategies
  • Team stayed focused on goals and managed obstacles with integrity and ingenuity.
  • Implemented generally accepted protocols to protect the health and safety of employees, contractors, and communities during the COVID-19 pandemic, including allowing employees to work remotely.

Supply Chain Management

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Reporting Period: 2023

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

  • Safety & Health
  • Employees & Culture
  • Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
  • Environmental Stewardship
  • Community Engagement
  • Governance & Ethics

Environmental Achievements

  • Received state mining permit for Carolina Lithium project after 2.5 years of review, meeting North Carolina's high environmental standards.
  • Received material permits for Tennessee Lithium hydroxide conversion facility.
  • Developed engineering plans to upgrade waste rock stockpile with synthetic liner to protect groundwater.
  • Updated sedimentation basins and ponds to improve water quality.

Social Achievements

  • Introduced SafetyDNA™ program to improve workplace safety.
  • Launched SAI360 digital platform for incident reporting and risk assessment.
  • Finalized contractor management program to ensure safety standards are met.
  • Hosted employee appreciation events.
  • Named among the Best Places to Work by the Charlotte Business Journal.
  • Sponsored employee participation in Leadership Gaston.
  • Formed a DEI Council to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
  • Established a Community Development Agreement with the City of Cherryville, providing funding for parks and recreation.

Climate Goals & Targets

Long-term Goals:
  • Become a safe, responsible manufacturer of lithium hydroxide and an employer of choice.
Medium-term Goals:
  • Achieve steady-state operations and implement tools to track consumption and emissions.
  • Implement strategies to reduce environmental impact.
  • Continue to improve safety and health performance.
  • Create shared value through projects.
Short-term Goals:
  • Build tools to collect data and establish benchmark metrics for environmental impact.
  • Set meaningful targets for water and carbon intensity.
  • Develop a robust safety and health management system.
  • Advance DEI initiatives.

Environmental Challenges

  • Building the tools and processes to track environmental data from operational projects.
  • Developing a robust safety and health management system.
  • Establishing a strong safety culture.
  • Advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
  • Creating shared value through projects.
  • Managing risks associated with cybersecurity threats.
Mitigation Strategies
  • Developing tools, dashboards, and processes to track environmental data.
  • Implementing SafetyDNA™, SAI360, and a contractor management program.
  • Forming a Safety, Environment, and Health Collaboration and a Safety Committee.
  • Forming a DEI Council and conducting employee surveys.
  • Establishing a Community Development Agreement with Cherryville.
  • Implementing a comprehensive cybersecurity risk management program, including a Cybersecurity Incident Response Team, cybersecurity awareness training, and ransomware protection systems.

Supply Chain Management

Responsible Procurement
  • Contractor management program.

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Awards & Recognition

  • Best Places to Work by the Charlotte Business Journal