MCMINN COUNTY, TN—Tennessee Lithium is a lithium hydroxide facility currently in the funding stage in McMinn County, Tennessee. According to its website, in full operation, the facility is expected to produce 30,000 metric tons of lithium hydroxide per year. This capacity would more than double the current American production capacity of approximately 20,000 metric tons1 annually. Tennessee Lithium's expected annual production volume is enough to supply 600,000 electric vehicle batteries per year² to help drive the electrification of transportation. 

At this point, the material permits needed to begin construction at Tennessee Lithium have been acquired. Piedmont Lithium has entered into a purchase agreement for the adjacent Waupaca foundry and closed on the associated landfill to leverage this existing infrastructure and facilities as part its greenfield project plans. The project is currently in the funding and engineering-design phase.