BUZZ-Piedmont Lithium gains after merger with Sayona Mining

** Shares of U.S.-based mining co Piedmont Lithium PLL.O rise 2.9% to $12.60 premarket

** PLL to merge with Australia-based Sayona Mining SYA.AX in all-stock deal to create lithium business, with SYA as parent entity

** New company will be owned 50-50 by each company's shareholders

** Piedmont will be undertaking proposed capital raise of $27 mln; Sayona undertaking capital raise of A$40 mln ($25.99 mln)

** Transaction expected to close during first half of 2025

** As of last close, stock down 56.61% YTD

($1 = 1.5392 Australian dollars)

(Reporting by Pooja Menon in Bengaluru)

((Pooja.Menon@thomsonreuters.com;))