Development of NT's first lithium mine to begin this year

The Northern Territory is set to welcome its first lithium mine with the State Government giving its approval to Core Lithium’s Mine Management Plan (MMP) for the Finnis Lithium Project in the Top End. This is the final major approval needed for construction to begin on the new lithium project. 

The Finnis Lithium Project is also the first lithium mine to be developed outside Western Australia as well as the first new large-scale mining operations to be approved in the NT since 2013. 

“Following extensive consultation with local environmental, community and business stakeholders, we’re incredibly pleased to be another major step closer to starting a project that will deliver significant prosperity to northern Australia. 

“Core’s Finnis Lithium Project opens the door for the Territory to be a key supplier of high-quality lithium for batteries to power the growing global electric vehicle market,” Core Lithium Managing Director Stephen Biggins said. 

The Finnis Lithium Project is going to be an open cut mine located along the Cox Peninsula Road, which is about 35 kilometres west of Berry Springs and hour’s drive from Darwin. The project is also located within 25 kilometres of power stations as well as gas and rail, and is close to Darwin Port. 

Project map (source: Core Lithium)

This new mining operations is expected to mine approximately two million tonnes of lithium-bearing ore over a Finnis’ expected three to four-year mine life. 

Development of the Finnis Lithium Project is expected to create up to 200 local jobs for the region. Due to the project’s location, no accommodation camp is required and the entire workforce for the project can drive to and from the site each day. 

“The Territory Labor Government knows that local jobs and economic recovery have never been more important. The resources sector is going to play a huge role in our recovery from the COVID-19 crisis, and the milestone achieved by the Finnis Lithium Project is very good news for Territorians. 

“The first three years of this project are expected to inject over half a billion dollars into the NT economy and create around 200 jobs for Territorians within an hour of Darwin,” Minister for Primary Industry and Resources Paul Kirby said. 

Core Lithium is planning to have the Finnis Lithium Project ready for construction within this year. 

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Source: Northern Territory Government Newsroom; Core Lithium; Australian Mining