Albemarle Corporation has introduced its project plan for the Kings Mountain Mine, one of the few known hard-rock lithium deposits in the U.S.

The plan includes the proposed site footprint, primary physical features and details of the mining processes. Pending permitting approval and a final investment decision, the mine is anticipated to produce approximately 420,000 tons of lithium-bearing spodumene concentrate yearly, providing a crucial building block for sustainable transportation and to support 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."

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 key role in growing the U.S. supply chain. In 2023, Albemarle was awarded a US$ 90 million grant from the U.S. Department of Defense to help support the purchase of a fleet of mining equipment as part of the mine's redevelopment.