In an operations update for its Finniss Lithium Operation, Core Lithium has announced that the project’s first product delivery as part of its long-term offtake agreements has been trucked to Darwin Port.
The 10,000t parcel of spodumene concentrate is now ready for shipping to foundation customer Ganfeng Lithium.
Core Lithium said that the product presented well and is within contract specifications with Ganfeng. This follows the two concentrate shipments made in April and July under separate agreements with Sichuan Yahua.
In addition, and further to the update provided in the Quarterly Activities Report for the quarter ended 30 June 2023, Core has successfully completed negotiations for the sale of an initial parcel of fines from its Finniss operations.
Over 13,000t of the 15,000t parcel, with a grade averaging 1.2 per cent lithium oxide (Li₂O) has also been trucked to Darwin Port awaiting export in early September.
The balance of the fines shipment is expected to be transported to the port within the next few days.
The successful sale of fines, which are generated during crushing and processing of ore through the Dense Media Separation Plant, has established a viable commercial outlet for this material as Core continues with its recovery optimisation initiatives.
Core Lithium’s CEO, Gareth Manderson, said that delivering concentrate into long-term offtake agreements is a significant milestone for Core as it ramps up to commercial operations at the Finniss Lithium Operation.
“It is also very pleasing to see the first fines cargo delivered to the Darwin Port ready for shipment into an additional agreement to a valued customer,” Mr Manderson said.
The sale of lithium fines was identified as an immediate commercial option to address lower recoveries being experienced during ramp-up.
“Work continues on the recovery improvement trials and results have been encouraging. The company looks forward to updating the market as these trials, and the longer term studies into plant optimisation, progress.
“Delivering first concentrate into long-term offtake agreements, and the sale of first fines are both significant milestones, and I commend the Core team for the work they have done to safely produce and deliver these products.”
Featured image: Fines and spodumene stockpiles awaiting shipment at Darwin Port. Image credit: Core Lithium.
