Mining company Core Lithium has awarded preferred contractor statuses for three components of its Finniss lithium project, including its provider of haulage and transport.
The project, which aims to become the first Australian lithium producer outside Western Australia, is on track to begin production of spodumene by the end of 2019.
Qube Bulk has been selected as the preferred provider of haulage and transport solutions for Finniss, with Lucas Total Contract Solutions selected as preferred contractor for mining services.
Core has also engaged Primero Group as preferred engineering, procurement and construction (EPC), and front-end engineering design (FEED) contractor.
Primero has already begun a FEED study to improve the accuracy of the EPC estimate for the one million tonne per annum processing plant and associated infrastructure at Finniss.
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The three contractors will form part of the development team Core is assembling after being granted its first mining license.
Core announced this week it had secured a 20-year mining lease for the Grants deposit at Finniss three months earlier than expected.
Managing director Stephen Biggins said the company was now well on the way towards becoming the Northern Territory’s first lithium producer.
“The definitive feasibility study on Grants is expected to be delivered by the end of the March quarter, with first production at the Finniss lithium project on track for the end of 2019,” Biggins said.
Core is working with Primero, Lucas TCS and Qube to finalise contract terms.