GEO and SGE Visit King’s Mountain Lithium Mine

Students and faculty were treated to an “electrifying” tour of the Albemarle King’s Mountain lithium mine, which will provide the raw materials for lithium batteries used in electric vehicles. The mine operated previously for 50 years, but closed in 1988 when cheaper lithium could be obtained from other sources. The increased demand for lithium, and the high quality of King’s Mountain lithium-bearing spodumene ore, has made it economically feasible to reopen the mine. The mine is currently being dewatered, part of the pre-development activities required before construction and mining operations will begin. Once mining begins, operations are expected to continue for approximately 9 years.