Core Lithium Ltd. has produced its first spodumene concentrate from the recommissioned processing plant at its Finniss lithium operation in the Northern Territory.
The achievement marks a key step in the staged restart of the Finniss project, delivered on schedule, on budget, and within six months of the company’s final investment decision (FID). It aligns with Core’s target for the September quarter of 2026.
The return to production follows the recommencement of open-pit mining at Grants in May and the reactivation of the crushing circuit in August to build ore stockpiles.
Processing plant upgrades have debottlenecked the circuit, improving mineral recoveries and expanding annual processing throughput capacity by roughly 20 per cent to 1.2 million tonnes.
Targeted plant enhancements included screen refurbishments, upgrades to the rolls crusher and tails thickener circuits, improved ferrosilicon distribution, and centralising operations into a single control room.
“Producing our first spodumene concentrate from the Finniss processing plant is another significant milestone for Core and represents an important step in the staged restart of the operation,” said Core Managing Director Paul Brown.
“Producing concentrate through the upgraded plant in such a short timeframe demonstrates the capability of our team and the value of the existing infrastructure at site.”
The processing facility is now undergoing commissioning and optimisation to build towards sustained commercial throughput. Meanwhile, early cash flow from Grants will support parallel underground development at the nearby BP33 deposit.
“We have now successfully achieved first concentrate, and our focus is on continuing the commissioning and optimisation of the processing plant as we progressively build towards reliable and sustained production,” Brown said.
With established logistics networks already operational, Core remains on track to make its first shipment of newly produced spodumene concentrate during the December quarter of 2026, with production and exports continuing through 2027.
