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A Brief History of The Carolina Tin Spodumene Belt and The Geology of The Carolina Lithium Project

Presented by Lamont Leatherman and Emily Winter, Piedmont Lithium

Presentation Overview

The Carolina Tin Spodumene Belt (CTSB) is a geologic region located in North and South Carolina that has numerous spodumene-bearing pegmatites. This region produced nearly all the world’s lithium supply from the 1950s to the 1980s. During production, both operations concentrated spodumene from pegmatite and developed downstream technologies to produce lithium chemicals. This period of production and innovation made North Carolina the leading hub for lithium and lithium chemicals.

After the mines closed, the facilities continued to produce lithium chemicals in North Carolina and continue to operate today. Exploration and mining activities remained dormant within the CTSB until the need for domestic lithium resources gained momentum among electric vehicle and battery manufacturers and other key stakeholders in the clean energy sector.

As a result of this market shift, an opportunity was identified in Gaston County, North Carolina in 2009. The venture was initially short lived. However, more recently, a large mineral resource and a fully integrated spodumene mine-to-lithium hydroxide production project, with mining, concentrate, and chemical conversion activities occurring all within a single property footprint has been identified. The project is currently in the permitting and approvals stage of development.

In addition to the history of the CTSB, this presentation will focus on the geologic setting of the Carolina Lithium project, and, more specifically, the mineralogy, textures, alteration zones, and orientations of the spodumene pegmatites within the mineral resource.

Biography

Lamont Leatherman: As Piedmont Lithium’s Chief Geologist, Mr. Lamont Leatherman oversees the company’s geology and mineral exploration activities. His early recognition of the potential to further explore the Carolina Tin-Spodumene Belt contributed to the founding of Piedmont Lithium in 2016. Since then, he has maintained an active role in the company, serving as a key scientific resource for our global portfolio, overseeing the resource development for the Carolina Lithium project, and traveling internationally to assess potential development opportunities. Mr. Leatherman is a veteran geologist with over 30 years of experience in exploration. He has nearly a decade of experience in lithium bearing pegmatite systems and a broad background in precious metals, base metals, and iron ore exploration. Prior to Piedmont, he was a consulting geologist and a Project Geologist for BHP Minerals and Noranda. Mr. Leatherman earned a Bachelor of Science in Geology from Appalachian State University.

Emily Winter: Emily is a Cherryville native with a Bachelor of Science in Geology from Appalachian State University. She began her career in groundwater protection with Dakota County, Minnesota, before joining Piedmont Lithium as an exploration geologist. In that role, she played a key part in building the Carolina Lithium project through extensive geological exploration and resource assessment. Her passion for fostering strong relationships between industry and community led her to transition into community relations at Piedmont Lithium. In this role, she focuses on local engagement, education, and outreach efforts to ensure transparency and collaboration with stakeholders. She works closely with local organizations, schools, and government entities to support community initiatives and economic development. Committed to giving back, Emily is actively involved with the Cherryville Chamber of Commerce, the Cherryville Rotary Club, and the Cherryville High School Education Foundation. She continues to advocate for responsible development while ensuring the community remains informed and engaged in the future of lithium production in North Carolina.