Australian lithium miner Core Lithium (ASX:CXO) today announced the official opening of the Finniss lithium mine, the first lithium mine in production in the Northern Territory and Australia’s only lithium mine outside Western Australia.
Finniss was formally opened by the Minister for Mining and Industry, the Honourable Nicole Manison MLA. Core chief executive officer Gareth Manderson, Core non-executive chair Greg English and members of the Core board were also in attendance.
Finniss is on target to export Direct Shipping Ore (DSO) lithium by the end of this year, following the first sale of Spodumene DSO product announced on 3 October 2022.
Core will employ directly and indirectly a workforce of approximately 300 personnel during the life of the mine. Currently, over 80% contractor and direct employees live in Darwin and work at Finniss.
Core CEO Gareth Manderson said
“Core is bringing production online at a time of high lithium prices, strong global demand and constrained supply. The Core team has done a fantastic job quickly transitioning from discovery and exploration to construction and shortly supply of high-grade lithium concentrate to a global market in just six years.”
“The first four years of production from the Finniss Lithium project is already secured with approximately 80% sold to offtake partners, including Ganfeng Lithium and Sichuan Yahua who have provided tremendous support during our development phase.”
