New lithium mine in NT expected to create hundreds of local jobs
The Northern Territory is set to have its first lithium mine development, with the State Government granting the Mineral Lease to Core Lithium Ltd - under Lithium Developments (Grant NT) Pty Ltd - for the Finniss Lithium Project.
The 20-year Mineral Lease - the first lithium-focused Mineral Lease granted in the NT - is for the development of the Grants Deposit which is a key component of the Finniss lithium mine located approximately 36 kilometres from Berry Springs and 90 kilometres from Darwin.
“With the Mineral Lease secured for Grants, Core is now on the way towards becoming the Northern Territory’s first lithium producer.
“The Definitive Feasibility Study on Grants is expected to be delivered by the end of the March quarter, with first production at the Finniss Lithium project on-track for the end of 2019,” Core Lithium Managing Director Stephen Biggins said.
Project map (source: Core Lithium)
This new lithium project is expected to create up to 150 jobs during construction, and up to 90 jobs once the mine is up and operational.
The Finniss Lithium Project is currently still subject to other approvals before construction can begin.
“Creating jobs is the number one priority of this Government and this is an important milestone for this project.
“If it successfully goes through the rest of the approvals process, this mine could not only provide direct jobs for Territorians on site, but also flow-on effects for Territory businesses through contracts and tenders,” Acting Minister for Primary Industry and Resources Dale Wakefield said.
Lithium is a major component in the production of lithium-ion batteries and it is also utilised in electric vehicles as well as for energy storage.
The lithium ore from the future Finniss mine is going to be process on-site and transported by road to Darwin Port for export.
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Source: Northern Territory Government Newsroom; Core Lithium; NT News; Proactive Investors Australia
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