No mining permit, page-81

"However, the company has not applied for a state mining permit or required zoning change in Gaston County, west of Charlotte, though it has been telling investors since 2018 that it is on the verge of doing so.

"Five of the seven members of the district’s committee who oversee the zone changes say they could block or delay the project because Piedmont did not tell them how much dust, noise and vibration there would be, nor what water and air quality would be affected.

“Piedmont put the proverbial cart in front of the horse, so to speak,” said Tom Keigher, Chairman of the Board of Commissioners. “Why in the world would you want to do this deal with Tesla before you even get permission to run the mine?”

https://************/piedmont-lithium-upset-north-carolina-neighbors-for-supplying-tesla/