Production of battery grade lithium raises prospects of Darwin mine

Core Lithium has announced the production of battery grade lithium hydroxide monohydrate from spodumene mineral concentrate from the Finniss Lithium Project.

• Core Lithium’s Finniss project near Darwin gains major project status from federal government
• ‘Core is right at the front of the line of new lithium production in Australia’: Lithium miner’s bold move on six mineral leases near Darwin

CORE Lithium has announced the production of battery grade lithium hydroxide monohydrate (LH) from spodumene mineral concentrate from the Finniss Lithium Project.

The exciting news comes less than a month after the mine near Darwin was granted Major Project status by the federal government.

Core Lithium managing director Stephen Biggins said the successful proof-of-concept test work provides Core and its customer confidence in using Finniss lithium concentrates in the global lithium battery supply chain.

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“The announcement confirms that battery grade lithium hydroxide suitable for high-end uses in the lithium battery, renewable energy and electric vehicle industries, can be produced from Core’s excellent quality lithium concentrate produced from the Finniss project,” Mr Biggins said. “Together with the recent awarding of Major Project status from the federal government, this program lays a foundation for Core to explore the potential of adding downstream processing infrastructure to our portfolio.”

Mr Biggins said this would incorporate the strong synergies with the infrastructure at the nearby Middle Arm Precinct at Darwin Port and align with Australia’s national Modern Manufacturing Strategy and expansion of the Global lithium battery supply chain.

Core Lithium’s Finniss project, the first lithium mine in Australia outside Western Australia, is expected to generate more than 360 jobs during construction and more than 250 ongoing jobs once operations commence.

The Major Project status recognises the strategic significance of the Project to Australia, and the opportunity is has to contribute to the growth of the critical minerals industry.

Mr Biggins said Core remains focused on completing the Finniss Lithium Project DFS and finalising current live offtake negotiations ahead of reaching Final Investment decision in the third quarter of this year. He said the Finniss Project had the potential to open up significant new manufacturing opportunities linked to the mine.

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He pointed to Darwin being the country’s nearest port to Asia and it serving as a direct route for the lithium to be processed and delivered to end users worldwide.

Chief Minister Michael Gunner says he would like to see the Territory become a leading lithium producer.

“We know the growing electric vehicles, mobile phone and battery sectors are thirsty for lithium,” he said.