First new Darwin mine, Core Lithium, in a decade is a game-changer for the NT
The NT’s first lithium mine is seen as a positive step forward with the promise of more jobs, profits and a cleaner future.
Environment
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The announcement this month that Core Lithium will open a long-awaited mine about 80km south of Darwin has been well received.
A popular measure of economic progress in the Northern Territory is the number of new mines.
The Core Lithium facility is the first new mine in more than a decade.
It’s icing on the cake.
The in-demand mineral is used in vehicle batteries and one of the Territory’s 30 Teslas was rolled out for the announcement.
Core Lithium managing director Stephen Biggins expects the mine to deliver up to 250 jobs and last much longer than the decade originally forecast.
However, it’s the value add that’s almost as exciting.
Supported by a $6m Commonwealth grant, Core is undertaking a feasibility study into downstream processing and the hundreds of jobs that process
will generate.
“Initially it’s about mining lithium and processing lithium and exporting but in the future there’s opportunities to look at further downstream processing and liquid chemical manufacturing in the Territory,” Mr Biggins said.
“That brings in jobs and does more value adding.
“It’s a great opportunity for the Territory to participate in the electrification of the global vehicle fleet around the world.”
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