【Core Lithium: BP33 Portal Cut Completed; Finniss Stockpiled Material Shipped via Darwin Port】

On June 22, Core Lithium announced that the logistics chain at its Finniss Lithium Operation is now fully operational, with the first shipment of lithium fines and stockpiled spodumene concentrate successfully exported through Darwin Port.

The company also reported progress at the BP33 underground project. Contractor Develop Global has mobilized to site, the BP33 portal cut has been completed, and underground decline development has officially commenced. According to Core, BP33 development will progress in parallel with mining activities at the Grants open pit.

The Grants mine is expected to deliver up to approximately 134,000 tonnes of SC5 spodumene product, with ore processing scheduled to commence in the September quarter. Product shipments are expected to continue through 2027.

SMM notes that these developments indicate Core Lithium is transitioning from stockpile monetization and logistics reactivation toward the practical restart of the Finniss operation. However, the material currently being shipped primarily originates from previously announced stockpile sales, including approximately 20,000 tonnes of lithium DSO fines and around 5,100 dry metric tonnes of spodumene concentrate, rather than newly mined production.

Going forward, the market will closely monitor the progress of ore processing at Grants, the pace of underground development at BP33, and the timing of the first shipments of newly produced SC5/SC6 spodumene products.