The first shipment from the Finniss Lithium mine was recently prepped at Darwin Port, marking another significant milestone for Core Lithium.
In a statement released on Friday, the Northern Territory (NT) Government said the loading of 15,000 dry metric tonnes of direct shipping ore (DSO) from Core Lithium’s Finniss Lithium Project onto the Rossana ship is a remarkable feat given that work on the site only began in October 2021.
Chief Minister Natasha Fyles said the news is a significant milestone for Core Lithium and the renewable and critical minerals industry.
“Lithium is the way of the future for both cleaner energy and the Territory economy, with local 300 jobs created for at least the next 12 years,” Chief Minister Fyles stated.
According to the Chief Minister, the accomplishment demonstrates that the NT is the place to go for chances for a greener future and a stronger economy.
After being loaded, the ship will sail for Fangcheng, China, where the DSO on board will produce lithium batteries used to store renewable energy and power electric vehicles.
Minister for Mining and Industry Nicole Manison said the achievement shows NT’s world-class logistics chains and infrastructural networks, with a port that serves as the gateway to Asia.
“This is a globally significant project for lithium battery production, which will power the future through electric vehicles and renewable energy storage,” Minister Manison stated.
Minister Manison added: “And the best part is it’s happening right here in the Northern Territory, meaning local workers, local suppliers and contractors will all benefit financially.”
Core Lithium has contractual offtake agreements with Ganfeng Lithium and Sichuan Yahua to supply each firm with 75,000 tonnes of lithium concentrate annually over a four-year period.
The $89 million Finniss Lithium Project is projected to harvest 16 million tonnes of lithium-bearing ore over the mine’s expected life of at least 12 years and will employ around 300 people, including contractors.
Core Lithium CEO Gareth Manderson reiterates that the loading of the first DSO consignment for export at Darwin Port is a crucial milestone for Core Lithium.
“Core has made good progress during 2022 to transition from a mine developer to lithium producer. In 2023 we will continue this transition and the work required to build a good quality operating business in the Northern Territory,” Manderson stated.
Mining activities commenced in October 2022, making it the Northern Territory’s first new mine in more than a decade, with spodumene concentrate production set to begin in the first half of 2023.
