Core Lithium (ASX:CXO) has produced its first spodumene concentrate from its recommissioned Finniss processing plant in the Northern Territory.
The milestone was achieved within six months of announcing a final investment decision (FID) on the restart of the wholly owned operation, aligning with the company’s September quarter 2026 target.
Core has completed targeted upgrades to debottleneck the processing circuit and optimise recovery.
Upgrades include screen refurbishments, enhancements in the rolls crusher and tails thickener circuits, improvements to the ferrosilicon distribution system, and the consolidation of crushing and dense media separation plant operations into a single control room.
According to the company, these upgrades support improved mineral liberation and recoveries while increasing plant throughput capacity by approximately 20% to 1.2 million tonnes per annum.
Managing Director Paul Brown says these have all been delivered on schedule and on budget, and within six months of the FID on Finniss.
“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,” Brown says.
The achievement also follows the recommencement of mining activities at the Grants open pit in May and the recommissioning of the crushing circuit in August to establish sufficient crushed ore stockpiles.
Grants provides a near-term production pathway and rapid source of ore feed, supporting the progressive restart of Finniss and early cash flow generation.
Core says development of the BP33 underground mine continues in parallel.
Meanwhile, the company continues to target its first shipment of newly produced spodumene concentrate during Q4 2026, with production and shipments expected to continue into 2027.
Core Lithium is a hard-rock lithium company that owns the Finness Lithium Operation on the Cox Peninsula in the Northern Territory.
Write to Paula Fabe at Mining.com.au
Images: Core Lithium
