Albemarle Corporation (NYSE: ALB), a global leader in providing essential elements for mobility, energy, connectivity, and health, has unveiled its project plan for the Kings Mountain Mine, one of the few known hard-rock lithium deposits in the U.S. The plan outlines the proposed site footprint, primary physical features, and details of the mining processes. Subject to permitting approval and a final investment decision, the mine is expected to produce approximately 420,000 tons of lithium-bearing spodumene concentrate annually, serving as a critical component for sustainable transportation and supporting key defense applications.
“The Kings Mountain Mine is a world-class resource that can provide an essential element to power our future,” said Albemarle Energy Storage President Eric Norris. “We are pleased to share our plan with the community as we continue to seek their engagement to redevelop this rich, domestic resource in a safe and responsible manner.”
The proposed project plan, unveiled at a community open house and available online, includes several environmentally and socially responsible mining features and practices:
Reduced land disturbance: The plan includes utilizing the former Kings Mountain Mine to support mining operations and repurposing a former mica mine for tailings storage, both aimed at minimizing land disturbance. Sustainable materials management: Non-ore-bearing material from mining operations is planned to be transferred to the adjacent Martin Marietta Kings Mountain Quarry for processing and sale as construction aggregate. A portion of the sales will support Kings Mountain and surrounding communities. Additionally, Albemarle is exploring secondary markets for processed ore tailings, potentially benefiting ceramics or construction materials industries. High standards and accountability: Environmental protection measures and community engagement planning align with the Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance’s (IRMA) Standard for Responsible Mining, focusing on reducing adverse environmental and social impacts and creating benefits for local communities. Once operational, the mine would undergo a full third-party verification assessment by an IRMA-approved certification body. Sustainable water management: The mine plans to operate using collected precipitation to support operations, relying on external sources only for drinking water, fire protection, and sanitary purposes. With the U.S. currently producing less than 2% of the world’s supply of lithium, the Kings Mountain Mine is expected to play a crucial role in expanding the U.S. supply chain. In 2023, Albemarle received a $90 million grant from the U.S. Department of Defense to support the purchase of a fleet of mining equipment for the mine’s redevelopment. Lithium is critical for key defense applications, including batteries for communications equipment, remote and deep-sea sensors, and carbon dioxide adsorption in submarines, gas masks, and the space program. In 2022, Albemarle also received a $150 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to expand domestic manufacturing of electric vehicle batteries under President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
Alongside the project plan, Albemarle has initiated the public participation phase of a voluntary Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA). As a key component of IRMA’s Standard for Responsible Mining, the assessment aims to understand and manage potential impacts from the proposed mine on the surrounding environment, local economy, and community health and safety. Albemarle intends to use the assessment’s outcomes to develop environmental and social management plans to minimize adverse impacts and enhance benefits.
Stakeholder engagement is crucial to the ESIA’s development, and Albemarle encourages the community to participate through planned meetings and by submitting comments. The company plans to share the assessment’s findings and anticipated management measures with the community stakeholders throughout 2024 and 2025.
