PERTH (miningweekly.com) – Lithium developer Core Lithium has awarded the engineering, design and construction (EPC) contract for its Finniss lithium project, in the Northern Territory, to Primero Group, a wholly-owned subsidiary of ASX-listed NRW Holdings.

The contract is worth an estimated A$40-million, and execution of the EPC contract will start immediately following a final investment decision, with detailed engineering, procurement of long-lead time equipment, and securing structural steel to occur before the end of 2021.

On-site process plant construction activities are scheduled to commence in March 2022, with dense media separation (DMS) plant commissioning and first concentrate production anticipated in the fourth quarter of 2022.

“Today’s announcement represents the final stage of the Finniss study phase and the first step to unlocking the value of the Finniss lithium resource in the Northern Territory,” said Core MD Stephen Biggins.

“We are excited to have Primero on board as an experienced and successful lithium EPC contractor and look forward to working together, delivering the DMS plant, creating an exciting opportunity for the people of the Northern Territory.

“As we have stated to the market, construction of the Finniss project is on schedule to commence before the end of 2021, with Primero ready to hit the ground running immediately with initial work, in the lead-up to the commencement of process plant building activities in March next year.

“2022 is shaping up to be a defining year for Core Lithium,” he added.

The award of the EPC contract follows just days after Core Lithium awarded the minings services contract to Lucas Total Contract Solutions for the provision of openpit mining services at Finniss.

The three-year mining contract focuses on the Grants openpit, which is the first mine to be developed at Finniss, with first lithium production targeted in late 2022.