Albemarle is preparing to begin an additional drilling campaign at the Kings Mountain Mine site which is essential for short-term and long-term mine planning and de-risking potential capital investment. The site is one of the few known hard-rock lithium deposits in the United States, and the additional drilling is expected to further build upon the company’s high level of confidence of the resource. 

Project Overview 

The drilling campaign will build upon previous drilling campaigns and is scheduled to start in early May and continue through the end of the year. The plan includes drilling approximately 50,000 feet in total, consisting of 30-35 individual boreholes ranging from 800 to 1,400 feet deep. This effort will obtain essential geological data and test extensions of the resource to support mining operations as planned. 

Drilling Methodology 

The project will utilize diamond core drilling, a method of drilling which employs a hollow rotary drill bit embedded with diamonds to extract solid rock core samples from below the surface. This method is known for its precision and minimal surface disturbance, operating quietly and producing negligible vibrations. The surrounding community should not expect to feel this activity. 

Safety and Environmental Considerations 

Albemarle is committed to safety and environmental stewardship. The 2023 drilling campaign performed over 100,000 feet of diamond core drilling and achieved over 450,000 work-hours without any injuries. For the upcoming campaign, enhanced safety measures include comprehensive risk assessments, increased safety oversight of the drilling contractor and regular audits. 

To minimize the potential for community impacts, the drilling campaign has been designed to avoid operations near residential properties. Sound barriers and active noise monitoring will be utilized as needed at the drill sites. Additionally, the drill sites are designed to implement sediment control measures such as silt fences and sumps, and the sites are expected to be reclaimed and re-seeded upon completion of drilling activities. Nearby water resources are not anticipated to be affected as the rock units surrounding the mine site have low permeability and do not store or transmit water very easily. 

Impact on Kings Mountain Gateway Trail 

The Kings Mountain Gateway Trail is not expected to be closed due to the drilling operations. However, the trail may be temporarily affected by other work being performed at the mine site throughout the year. Albemarle is committed to minimizing any disruptions and will provide updates as necessary.