x
Breaking News
More () »

'Sorry for my frankness, but let’s get to it' | Emails detail growing frustration between Gaston County commissioners, Piedmont Lithium

WCNC Charlotte reviewed more than a thousand pages of emails exchanged between Piedmont Lithium, Gaston County commissioners, residents, and county staff.

Brandon Goldner

Play Video

Close Video

Published: 6:27 PM EST February 7, 2022
Updated: 6:57 PM EST February 7, 2022

As Piedmont Lithium was touting progress toward eventually mining lithium near Cherryville, Gaston County commissioners were privately criticizing the company and voicing alarm about the mine's impacts, according to a WCNC Charlotte Defenders investigation.

Piedmont Lithium has claimed their mine, which would sell lithium it extracted to electric car companies like Tesla, would result in hundreds of millions of dollars of economic investment

However, county commissioners were airing concerns about the mine's impacts on traffic, pollution, and surrounding property values in January 2021, months earlier than previously reported.

The commissioners' frustrations came to light during a July 20, 2021, public meeting between commissioners and company leaders.

Two lawsuits are currently pending in federal court, in which, investors accused Piedmont Lithium of misleading shareholders, in part, by making it seem like they had strong local, political support.

Piedmont Lithium has denied allegations it misled shareholders, and the company said in U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) documents that it intends to fight the lawsuits.

WCNC Charlotte's Defenders team reviewed more than a thousand pages of internal county emails detailing months of conversations between county commissioners, county employees, residents, and Piedmont Lithium's senior leadership.

Before You Leave, Check This Out