Core Lithium has produced its first spodumene concentrate from the recommissioned Finniss processing plant, reaching its September-quarter target within six months of the restart decision. The plant is not yet at steady-state production, with optimisation continuing ahead of a targeted first shipment in the December quarter.
- First spodumene concentrate produced at Finniss
- Restart delivered within six months of FID
- Plant commissioning and optimisation still underway
- Throughput capacity targeted to rise 20% to 1.2Mtpa
- First newly produced concentrate shipment targeted for December quarter 2026
First Concentrate Marks Finniss Restart Milestone
Core Lithium Ltd (ASX:CXO) has produced the first spodumene concentrate from the recommissioned Finniss processing plant, turning a restart plan into an operating result. The milestone was reached within six months of the final investment decision and in line with Core’s target for the September quarter of 2026.
That timing is the headline achievement. Mining at the Grants Open Pit restarted in May, while the crushing circuit was recommissioned in August to build sufficient crushed-ore stockpiles for processing. The latest announcement confirms the plant has now moved beyond preparation and into concentrate production, although it remains in commissioning and optimisation.
Plant Upgrades Target Higher Throughput
Core says targeted upgrades were completed before the plant restart, including screen refurbishments, changes to the rolls crusher and tails thickener circuits, improvements to the ferrosilicon distribution system and the consolidation of crushing and dense media separation operations into a single control room.
The company expects the work to support mineral liberation and recoveries while lifting processing capacity by approximately 20% to 1.2 million tonnes a year. Those are expected benefits rather than demonstrated operating outcomes at this stage: Core has not reported production volumes, concentrate grade, recoveries, realised pricing or operating costs in the announcement.
Shipment and Ramp-Up Remain the Next Tests
Core’s immediate task is to improve plant performance, reliability and throughput as Finniss progresses through its restart and ramp-up. The Grants pit provides the near-term ore feed, while development of the BP33 underground mine continues in parallel.
The company is targeting its first shipment of newly produced spodumene concentrate during the December quarter of 2026, with production and shipments expected to continue into 2027. That target gives the market a clear next checkpoint, but the gap between first concentrate and reliable commercial output remains material while commissioning is still under way.
Bottom Line?
The restart has cleared an important technical hurdle, but sustained throughput, recoveries and the first shipment will determine whether Finniss converts the milestone into dependable cash generation.
Questions in the middle?
- Can the upgraded plant sustain the targeted 1.2Mtpa capacity during ramp-up?
- What production volumes, grades and recoveries will Core report once commissioning is complete?
- Will the first newly produced concentrate shipment leave Finniss within the December quarter target?