$89m Finniss Lithium Project in NT to support 250 local jobs

Core Lithium has reached Final Investment Decision (FID) on its Finniss Lithium Project in the Northern Territory and is preparing to commence construction on the $89 million mine development. 

The Finniss Lithium Project is a first for both Core Lithium and the state as it is the first lithium mine to be developed in the Northern Territory as well as the first significant mine in over a decade. 

“This is a significant milestone, not just for Core, but also for the Northern Territory. We are delighted to be developing the Territory’s first lithium project, investing in the local economy and creating hundreds of new jobs on a project that will deliver lasting value for all Core stakeholders,” Core Lithium Non-Executive Chairman Greg English said. 

“The Core team looks forward to getting feet on the ground immediately and commencing construction, in line with our schedule to produce lithium concentrate before the end of next year as Australia’s next lithium producer,” Core Lithium Managing Director Stephen Biggins said. 

The development of the Finniss Lithium Project is anticipated to generate about 250 local jobs. The project also has the potential to position the state as a “strategically important jurisdiction for the production, processing and manufacturing of critical minerals to the global market”. 

Lithium is widely used in new and emerging technologies including batteries, electric vehicles, mobile phones, high-definition screen displays as well as solar panels, medical equipment and military technology. 

“Today’s milestone achieved by the Finniss Lithium Project is great news for the Territory and Territorians. 

“The first three years of this project are expected to inject more than half a billion dollars into the Northern Territory’s economy and create around 250 jobs for Territorians within an hour’s drive of Darwin. 

“The Northern Territory Government is delivering on its promise to make the Territory a world-class hub for resources and critical minerals, which is cementing our position as Australia’s comeback capital,” Minister for Mining and Industry Nicole Manison said. 

Core Lithium has engaged Lucas Total Contract Solutions to deliver mining services and NRW Holdings subsidiary Primero Group to undertake engineering, procurement and construction of the processing plant for the Finnis Lithium Project. 

Mobilisation on site is now underway and site establishment works are expected to begin in October. 

Lucas Total Contract Solutions will be supporting site establishment works over the coming weeks, paving the way for mining activities to commence. 

On the other hand, Primero Group will undertake the construction of the 1Mtpa Dense Media Separation (DMS) process plant in March 2022. 

The DMS process plant is due for commissioning in the fourth quarter of 2022 along with the first lithium concentrate production. 

“The Primero brand is synonymous with the processing and operation of battery metals and future energy and the Core Lithium Project is another example of the quality of our processing knowledge in these industries. The working relationship with the Core team has been a 4-year journey and we look forward to delivering on this contract and continuing the relationship with Core,” Primero Group Managing Director Cameron Henry said. 

Project map (source: Core Lithium)

The Finniss Lithium Project is located at Grants, along the Cox Peninsula Road, approximately 35 kilometres west of Berry Springs. The project is also located within 25 kilometres from port, power station, gas and rail as well as an hour by sealed road to workforce accommodation in Darwin and Darwin Port – the country’s nearest port to Asia. 

The Northern Territory Government granted a 25-year Mining Lease to Core Lithium for the BP33 deposit in January of this year. You can read more about the Mining Lease grant here. 

Source: Northern Territory Government Newsroom; NRW Holdings; Core Lithium (1, 2); Australian Mining