The Contractors
CORE Lithium has announced key contractors for its Finniss lithium project just days after the Northern Territory Government granted a mineral lease for the project.
The three contractors included Primero Group as the preferred EPC contractor; Lucas Total Contract Solutions as the preferred contractor to deliver mining services; and Qube as the preferred contractor for transport solutions.
A Front End Engineering & Design (FEED) study by Primero was now underway to improve the accuracy of the EPC estimate on the 1 million tonne per annum processing plant and associated infrastructure.
Primero has previously worked on a number of hard-rock lithium projects in WA, including Pilbara’s Pilgangoora and Tawana/Alliances’ Bald Hill projects.
Core Lithium managing director Stephen Biggins said it would work with the key contractors to finalise the terms that reflect the most cost-effective and time-efficient solution for the project.
“We believe we have selected the best contractors for the respective contracts out of a field of worthy contractors, and look forward to working with Primero, Lucas TCS and Qube once the contracts have been finalised and the next phases of work at Finniss get underway,” Mr Biggins said.
“Final award of these contracts will follow the completion and release of the Definitive Feasibility Study and financing of the Finniss project, which should see Core on track for first production at Finniss by the end of the year.”
The project, about 90km from Darwin by road, was expected to create up to 150 jobs during construction and 90 during operation.
“Creating jobs is the number one priority of this Government and this is an important milestone for this project,” Northern Territory Primary Industry and Resources acting minister Dale Wakefield said.
“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.”