UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): July 21, 2021

PIEDMONT LITHIUM INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware
001-38427
00-0000000
(State or Other Jurisdiction
of Incorporation)
(Commission
File Number)
(IRS Employer
Identification No.)

32 North Main Street, Suite 100
Belmont, North Carolina
28012
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
(Zip Code)

Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code: (704) 461-8000

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report): Not Applicable

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

☐
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
☐
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
☐
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
☐
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class
Trading Symbol
Name of exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $0.0001 par value per share
PLL
The Nasdaq Capital Market

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter)

Emerging Growth Company ☒

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Item 7.01
 Regulation FD Disclosure.

On July 21, 2021 EST, Piedmont Lithium Inc. (the “Company”) issued a press release announcing that is has completed its initial public presentation to the community and Board of Commissioners of Gaston County, North Carolina.  A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated herein by reference.

The information in this Item 7.01, including Exhibit 99.1 attached hereto, is being furnished and shall not be deemed “filed” for the purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that Section. The information in this Item 7.01 shall not be incorporated by reference into any registration statement or other document pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, except as otherwise expressly stated in such filing.

Item 8.01
 Other Events.

On July 21, 2021 AST, the Australian Securities Exchange (“ASX”) issued a market announcement indicating that the securities of the Company have been placed in a trading halt at the Company’s request through the earlier of an announcement to the market regarding the Company’s response to an ASX price query and the opening of trade on ASX on July 23, 2021.  The request for trading halt was made in accordance with ASX Listing Rule 17.1 while the Company considers certain recent news reports.

Item 9.01
 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits.

Exhibit No.
  
Description
 
 
 
 
Press Release of Piedmont Lithium Inc. dated July 21, 2021.

2
SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 
PIEDMONT LITHIUM INC.
   
Date: July 21, 2021
   
/s/ Keith Phillips
 
Name:
 
Keith Phillips
 
Title:
 
President and Chief Executive Officer


3
Exhibit 99.1

Piedmont Lithium Makes Presentation to Gaston County Commissioners and Community
Reviews Project Scope and Commitment to Safety, Sustainability and Environmental Stewardship

BELMONT, N.C., July 21, 2021 (Business Wire) – Piedmont Lithium Inc. (Nasdaq: PLL), a pre-production business targeting the integrated production of battery quality lithium hydroxide to support a US and global electric vehicle supply chain, completed its initial public presentation to the community and Board of Commissioners of Gaston County, North Carolina on July 20, 2021.  The presentation addressed how the Carolina Lithium Project could position Gaston County to be a significant part of the new U.S. electric vehicle supply chain, the bipartisan support for the development of critical minerals in the United States, and Piedmont’s commitment to protect the environment and community.

“We were honored to present at last night’s meeting, and we welcomed the opportunity to provide an update on our company, our values and our proposed project to the Gaston County commissioners and our community. We confirmed last night that we would submit our North Carolina state mining permit application in August 2021 as planned, and we look forward to addressing all of the questions that arise during the permitting and rezoning process.  We are committed to building the safest, most sustainable, and environmentally responsible project of this kind in the world,” said Keith Phillips, Piedmont Lithium President and CEO.

Piedmont also addressed misunderstandings in recent media reports regarding Piedmont’s development timeline, permit applications, and commitment to the environment. “Although we received important federal permits for our project in 2019, Piedmont’s upcoming state mining permit and county rezoning applications could only advance once our definitive plans were established.  Our project has evolved significantly over the past four years – we have selected more efficient and environmentally friendly technology, and fully-integrated our business plan into a single campus in Gaston County, North Carolina.  These project improvements have resulted in adjustments to our plans and, with the results of our recent studies and improved lithium markets, we’re excited to move forward with the state and local approval processes,” added Phillips.

About Piedmont Lithium

Piedmont is developing a world-class integrated lithium business in the United States, enabling the transition to a net zero world and the creation of a clean energy economy in America. Our location in the renowned Carolina Tin Spodumene Belt of North Carolina, positions us to be one of the world’s lowest cost producers of lithium hydroxide and the most strategically located to serve the fast-growing U.S. electric vehicle supply chain. The unique geographic proximity of our resources, production operations and prospective customers, places Piedmont on the path to be the most sustainable producer of lithium hydroxide in the world and allow Piedmont to play a pivotal role in supporting America’s move to the electrification of transportation and energy storage. Additional information is available at www.piedmontlithium.com.

For further information, contact: Brian Risinger, 1-704-910-9688, or brisinger@piedmontlithium.com