Lithium
Prospectivity
The Territory has significant lithium resources and exploration potential associated with spodumene-bearing pegmatites in the Bynoe pegmatite field, located close to the port of Darwin. Mining activity resumed in May 2026 when Core Lithium Ltd recommenced operations at the Finniss Project within the Bynoe Pegmatite Field of the Pine Creek Orogen. Lithium sales recorded in the 2025-26 financial year were generated from the sale of product held in stockpiles from earlier production.
Ongoing exploration by multiple companies continues to grow the resource base in the Bynoe field. Companies actively exploring and progressing projects for lithium include Core Lithium Ltd and Lithium Plus Minerals. Lithium Plus Minerals has a Mining Lease granted on the Lei deposit and has commenced studies to support the submission of environmental and mining approvals.
Numerous earlier stage exploration projects are also underway in the Barrow Creek and Anningie pegmatite fields in the Aileron Province of Central Australia. Australasian Metals Ltd, Encounter Resources Ltd, Core Lithium Ltd, WA1 Resources Ltd and Tivan Ltd are exploring in the Aileron Province in central Australia, including the Barrow Creek and Anningie pegmatite fields.
Indications of new spodumene-bearing pegmatites in the Reynolds Range, west of Ti Tree, have resulted in a $2 million farm-in joint venture between iTech Minerals Ltd and SQM Australia Pty Ltd, a subsidiary of the major Chilean lithium producer Sociedad QuÍmica y Minera de Chile (SQM). SQM has commenced exploration activities under its Reynolds Range Lithium Project joint venture with iTech Minerals in the Northern Territory, north-northwest of Alice Springs.
To learn more, go to the SQM International website.
Download the Lithium opportunities fact sheet PDF (1.6 MB).
Projects
In May 2026 Core Lithium Ltd recommenced mining at the Finniss Operations in the Bynoe pegmatite field in the Pine Creek Orogen, near the port of Darwin. First shipment of spodumene concentrate is planned by September 2026.
| Geological Province | Name | Annual Production | Resource | Company |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pine Creek Orogen | Finniss Operations* | Proposed 214 ktpa spodumene concentrate | 48.2 Mt @ 1.26% Li2O (global resource) | Core Lithium Ltd |
*incl. mining at Grants (2.32 Mt @ 1.45% Li2O) and construction at BP 33 (10.5 Mt @ 1.53% Li2O).
Lithium Plus Minerals have a large holding in the Bynoe pegmatite field and are developing plans quickly for the Lei deposit. A scoping study for Lei will be released before the end of 2026.
| Geological Province | Name | Resource | Company |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pine Creek Orogen | Lei | 5.22 Mt @ 1.50% Li2O | Lithium Plus Minerals Ltd |
| Geological Province | Name | Resource | Company |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pine Creek Orogen | Carlton (Finniss) | 6.34 Mt @ 1.30% Li2O | Core Lithium Ltd |
| Geological Province | Name | Resource | Company |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pine Creek Orogen | Hang Gong (Finniss) | 3.46 Mt @ 1.16% Li2O | Core Lithium Ltd |
| Lees (Finniss) | 11.2 Mt @ 1.14% Li2O | ||
| Booths (Finniss) | 3.24 Mt @ 1.02% Li2O | ||
| Ah Hoy (Finniss) | 4.64 Mt @ 1.31% Li2O | ||
| Sandras (Finniss) | 1.73 Mt @ 0.89% Li2O | ||
| Penfolds (Finniss) | 1.36 Mt @ 1.24% Li2O | ||
| Bilatos (Finniss) | 1.92 Mt @ 1.03% Li2O | ||
| Seadog (Finniss) | 1.41 Mt @ 1.18% Li2O |
| Geological Province | Name | Exploration results | Company |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pine Creek Orogen | Finniss | BP33: 34.1 m @ 2.09% Li2O | Core Lithium Ltd |
| Lei | 34 m @ 1.69% Li2O | Lithium Plus Minerals Ltd |
More information
- Lithium GEMIS search
- Rawlings (2019). Update on the Finniss lithium project. AGES 2019 Proceedings.
- Rawlings (2017). Lithium-rich pegmatites of the Bynoe field. AGES 2017 Proceedings.
- Frater (2005). Tin-tantalum pegmatite mineralisation of the Northern Territory. NTGS Report 16.
Explore NT projects
Operating mine
Care and maintenance
In approvals process
Under feasibility
JORC resource
Exploration highlight
