In a pivotal move towards operational readiness, Piedmont Lithium (ASX:NASDAQ:PLL, OTC:PLLTL) Inc partner Atlantic Lithium Ltd (AIM:ALL, OTCQX:ALLIF, ASX:A11) has received authorisation from Ghana's Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to divert two crucial power transmission lines within the Mankessim prospecting licence area.
This area is central to the partners' Ewoyaa Lithium Project, slated to be Ghana's first lithium mine.
The approval allows the diversion of the transmission lines, currently cutting across the proposed project site, to the northern border of the Mankessim licence.
EPA's approval will remain valid up to March 24, 2025.
"Shovel readiness" at Ewoyaa.
Atlantic Lithium CEO Keith Muller said: "The diversion of the transmission lines that traverse the proposed project site forms an important part of the mine plan and the company’s preparations towards shovel readiness at Ewoyaa.
"I would like to take the opportunity to thank GRIDCo for undertaking this work on behalf of the company and the Environmental Protection Agency for its timely approval, ensuring we maintain our strong momentum as we advance the project towards construction."
“At Ewoyaa, we consider ourselves exceptionally fortunate to be able to leverage Ghana’s impressive existing infrastructure and the considerable expertise from over a century of mining activity in the country.
"We believe these elements play a major role in positioning the project as one of the leading hard rock spodumene assets globally."
About the partnership
Atlantic Lithium has previously signed a funding agreement with Piedmont Lithium towards the development of the Ewoyaa Project.
The partners intend to be producing spodumene concentrate via a simple gravity-only process flowsheet.
Atlantic Lithium holds 560 square kilometres and 774 square kilometres of tenure across Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire respectively, comprising significantly under-explored, highly prospective licences.