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“We’re keen to complete [offtake deals] Construction at Finniss will entail the mine site and the processing facility.
and get our project into production and installation of both open pit and under- “The key advantage is not only signifi-
take advantage of the increasing lithium ground mining. cantly reducing the cost of power to the
prices that we’re experiencing right now “We plan to start open pit mining for a project but it’s also much more efficient
and are being forecast over the next few number of years and then move into un- in generation – so you’re looking at much
years,” Biggins said. derground,” Biggins explained. lower emission in power, and it also ena-
“But also, on the other side there’s the “It’s not too dissimilar from something bles us to source renewable-generated
downstream lithium supply. Parties in the like Liontown’s [Resources Ltd] project power through the grid.”
EV supply chain are very keen to sup- in Western Australia which starts with Extending power infrastructure is likely
port new supply because there’s a physi- an open pit mining operation and then to be a simple task for Core as Finniss
cal shortage of concentrate supply in the moves underground.” is already recognised with major project
market, both now and forecast in coming As for getting electricity to site, there status by the Northern Territory Govern-
decades. exists a unique opportunity to extend a ment.
“So, they are really keen to support power line onto Finniss. Meeting some of the people behind
new supply coming out.” Travellers to the project site will notice Finniss firsthand is a great way to under-
Darwin’s connection to global supply the steady stream of powerlines accom- stand many of these surprises, especial-
chains was transformed in 2015 after panying the bitumen road that take a ly when it involves swapping stories over
the Chinese Landbridge Group inked a sudden sharp left and diverge from the the hood of a 4WD while inspecting gold
99-year lease over Darwin Port for $506 project – something Biggins personally found at the project.
million. pointed out and wants to see changed. The senior geologists laughed when
Core signed its own five-year operat- “It’s a great opportunity for us to lever- recounting the times these discoveries
ing agreement with the port in May with age that infrastructure,” he said. were published to the market and locals
first lithium exports anticipated for next “Grid power currently comes within would show up the next day with metal
year. The agreement includes the use of less than 10km of the project. We are in detectors.
the port’s truck dump, ship loader and the final stages of planning with the ap- Biggins is just as enthused about the
conveyor, and unloading of equipment propriate authorities for us to connect to gold, but less for its potential as a pub
for mining and plant construction. grid power and bring that both out to the anecdote.

Roughly 99% of Finniss’ lithium is in
spodumene, encouraging 70% recoveries
and cheaper processing methods

aUSTRaLIa’S PaYDIRT aUgUST 2021 Page 9