Aust’s next lithium mine moves closer

CORE Lithium’s Finniss Project 80km west of Darwin is looking more and more likely to be Australia’s next lithium mine

Core Lithium Finnis Project Map Picture: SUPPLIED

CORE Lithium’s $50 million Finniss Project, 80km west of Darwin, is looking more and more likely to be Australia’s next lithium mine.

The NT Environment Protection Authority has ticked off on Core Lithium Limited’s Grants deposit and found it can proceed in an environmentally acceptable manner by implementing recommendations made in the authority’s environmental impact assessment report.

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NT EPA acting chairman Janice van Reyk said the NT EPA identified potential significant impacts and risks associated with the project and made 17 recommendations to avoid and mitigate these.

The report has gone to the NT Government for consideration.

Core Lithium is aiming to start production of spodumene from Finniss by the end of this year. Lithium is used in the manufacture of aircraft and batteries.

It will cost around $50 million to build the project and get into production.

The company would employ up to 100 people during the construction period and has already signed a one million tonne binding offtake and $US20 million prepayment agreement with Yahua, one of China’s largest lithium producers.

Core Lithium Limited proposes an open cut lithium mine and ancillary infrastructure, with a proposed mine life of four years.

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The NT EPA said with a mine life of only three to four years, Core Lithium Limited must further evaluate all closure and rehabilitation options in developing and finalising its Mine Closure Plan prior to the start of mining. It has been asked to give particular attention to achieving rigorous mine closure objectives.