NT lithium miner inks deal at Darwin Port

The company planning to build a world-class lithium mine near Darwin has inked a five-year Darwin Port operating agreement.

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THE company planning to build a world-class lithium mine near Darwin has inked a five-year Darwin Port operating agreement.

Advanced Australian lithium developer, Core Lithium will export its lithium products produced at the company’s 100 per cent owned Finniss Lithium Project about 80km from Darwin.

The agreement adds to a number of key milestones Core has reached in its plans for the lithium mine.

Its financial case for a go-ahead was significantly strengthened by a $5 million conditional loan offer from the NT government.

Core Lithium is opening an open-cut mine 35km west of Berry Springs. Picture: Supplied

In February it raised $40 million from high-quality institutional investors to advance the development.

In March the project was granted major project status by the federal government.

The major project status recognises the strategic significance of the project to Australia, and the opportunity it has to contribute to the growth of the critical minerals industry.

Core Lithium recently acquired the right to six mineral leases adjacent to its Finniss project giving the company the potential to significantly accelerate its resource expansion plans.

In early 2017, Core Lithium entered into a non-binding heads of agreement with Darwin Port Operations.

The Port Operating Agreement will allow Core to access and use the DPO facilities to export Core’s lithium products.

The agreement contemplates Direct Ship Ore (DSO) and spodumene concentrate (“Product”).

Access to the DPO facilities includes a truck unloading dump facility; the ship loader feed conveyor to convey product to the ship loader; and access to the ship loader with berths capable of accommodating vessels up to Panamax size.

Core Lithium says as such, the DPO facilities are a strong fit for its requirements.

Lithium Developments is responsible for providing all labour to operate the Darwin Port operating facilities when handling the Core Lithium product. The company will be required to obtain routine regulatory approvals relating to the use of the Darwin Port operating facilities over the five-year term.