Emerging Australian lithium developer, Core Lithium Ltd, has been granted Northern Territory’s first lithium-focused Mineral Lease, achieving a historic moment for both Core and the Northern Territory.
Core’s 100 per cent owned Finniss Lithium Project will be positioned 36 kilometres from Berry Springs and 90 kilometres from Darwin by road and is expected to create up to 150 jobs during its construction phase and 90 on-going jobs during operations.
The mine holds a JORC 2012 compliant Mineral Resources of 3.45 million tonnes at 1.4 per cent lithium oxide (Li20) and will be situated within a highly prospective area for lithium in the NT.
Core’s Managing Director, Stephen Biggins, said it was a significant milestone in the company’s history.
“As we continue on our path towards becoming Australia’s first lithium producer outside of Western Australia, it’s important that we don’t let any of these important milestones pass us without reflecting on both their significance and importance for Core.”
“With the Mineral Lease secured for Grants, Core is now well on the way towards becoming the Northern Territory’s first lithium producer,” Mr Biggins said.
Acting Minister for Primary Industry and Resources, Dale Wakefield, also commented that this mine will not only provide direct jobs for Territorians on site, but also has flow-on effects for Territory businesses through contracts and tenders.
“Creating jobs is the number one priority of this Government and this is an important milestone for this project,” said Minister Wakefield.
Core expects the Definitive Feasibility Study on Grants to be delivered by the end of the March quarter, with first production from the project on-track for late 2019.
More information on the Finniss Lithium Project can be found here.