Core meets another production milestone as China snaps-up NT lithium

Critical miner Core Lithium continues to beat its production deadlines. Read the latest success.

Territory critical minerals producer Core Lithium has trucked its first shipment of locally manufactured spodumene concentrate to East Arm Port three weeks ahead of schedule.

The company has been off-loading the 3500 tonne parcel of concentrate at the port over the past week.

Bound for China, the spodumene was produced as part of commissioning the dense media separation (DSM) plant as Core Lithium gears its Grants mine for full production.

Core has an agreement to supply 600,000 tonnes of concentrate to two major suppliers over the next four years.

One of those, Sichuan Yahua, recently agreed to purchase 18,500 tonnes of spodumene extracted during the commissioning phase.

The company will now make arrangements for the product to be shipped from East Arm to China.

This is in addition to the 300,000 tonnes the Chengdu-based company will purchase for EV-battery production as part of its four-year binding agreement with Core.

Core Chief Executive Officer Gareth Manderson at the official opening of the Finniss Lithium mine last year Picture: Glenn Campbell

Core chief executive Gareth Manderson said the company’s priority now was to complete commissioning of the mine and plant as well as extracting the remaining 15,000 tonnes to fulfil this part of the Yahua contract.

He anticipates the first spodumene following the commissioning phase will be ready for shipment towards the end of this financial year.

Core has been able to deliver on many of its targets ahead of schedule, including extraction of the first shipment of concentrate, which wasn’t expected to be completed until late this month.

First production was expected in the first six months of 2023, but was completed in March.

Core Lithium's first shipment of locally produced spodumene at East Arm Wharf

“The commissioning process will take a while as we make adjustments learning about the mechanical and metallurgical requirements,” Mr Manderson said.

“We’re meeting our milestones ahead of time and that is a credit to the team at the mine, to our key partners, the community and the NT government who have supported us all the way.

“I want it to be known the local know-how and knowledge has been a huge benefit to Core and I’m really pleased and impressed with the contribution local business has to the Core lithium business.”

When the Grants pit is commissioned, the company will then focus on developing its BP33 pit, which will help fulfil the 600,000 tonne commitment.

The company will then begin exploration at its Shoebridge deposit near Adelaide River and another at Barrow Creek in Central Australia.

Originally published as Core meets another production milestone as China snaps-up NT lithium