Proponent: Core Lithium Limited
Overview
Core Lithium Limited is proposing to develop and operate an underground lithium mine at the BP33 resource on the Cox Peninsula approximately 33km west of Berry Springs.
The proposal includes the development of the underground mine and associated site infrastructure, a water supply dam, sediment ponds, a run of mine pad, waste rock landforms, a storage and maintenance area, internal access roads and drainage infrastructure.
Ore would be transported in trucks via a 7.5km haul road to the nearby Grants Lithium Project for processing. The proposal will have a four year mine life and a disturbance area of 100.9 hectares of native vegetation within a 535 hectare mineral lease on vacant Crown land.
Stage 1: Referral
NT EPA notices
- Notice of Decision to accept referral - 9 July 2020 PDF (460.7 KB)
- Notice of Decision and Statement of Reasons – 14 September 2020 PDF (143.5 KB)
- Direction to include additional information in the SER – 16 October 2020 PDF (148.9 KB)
Public consultation
Statutory Notice 10 July 2020
The NT EPA invited public comment on a referral to develop and operate an underground lithium mine. The referral was able to be inspected on the NT EPA consultation hub, or obtained by contacting the NT EPA. Interested persons were invited to make a submission by 10 August 2020. The NT EPA made this notice in accordance with regulation 52(1) of the Environment Protection Regulations 2020.
| Referral documents | Type |
|---|---|
| Referral form | PDF 411.1 KB |
| Referral supporting document | PDF 7.9 MB |
| Appendix A – Geochemical characterisation report | PDF 2.1 MB |
| Appendix B – Ecology report | PDF 3.5 MB |
| Appendix C – Surface hydrology and flood inundation report | PDF 3.1 MB |
| Appendix D – Desktop groundwater study | PDF 1.1 MB |
| Appendix E – Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority Certificate - Redacted |
| Submissions received | Type |
|---|---|
| Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority | PDF 119.8 KB |
| Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics | PDF 119.8 KB |
| Department of the Chief Minister | PDF 149.4 KB |
| Department of Primary Industry and Resources | PDF 2.3 MB |
| Department of Environment and Natural Resources | PDF 3.6 MB |
| Department of Health | PDF 246.9 KB |
| Department of Tourism, Sport and Culture | PDF 891.0 KB |
| Department of Attorney-General and Justice | PDF 95.1 KB |
| Environment Centre NT | PDF 203.3 KB |
| Private individual | PDF 99.9 KB |
Stage 2: Assessment
The NT EPA decided the method of assessment is by Supplementary Environmental Report (SER). A general overview of timeframes under the EP Act is available here PDF (689.7 KB).
Supplementary Environmental Report (SER)
NT EPA notices
- Direction about the form and manner for publication of document – SER – 8 September 2021 PDF (94.0 KB)
- Notice of Decision and Statement of Reasons – Extension of specified period – 9 October 2021 PDF (550.2 KB)
Public consultation on the SER
Statutory notice 16 November 2021
The NT EPA invited public comment on the SER for the Finniss Lithium Project BP33 Underground Mine.
The SER documents were able to be inspected and obtained on this webpage, and at the following locations:
- NT EPA, Level 1, Arnhemica House, 16 Parap Road, Parap
- Northern Territory Library, Parliament House, Darwin
- Environment Centre NT, Unit 3, 98 Woods Street, Darwin
- Northern Land Council, 45 Mitchell Street, Darwin
- Litchfield Shire Council, 7 Bees Creek Road, Freds Pass
Interested persons were invited to make a submission by 20 December 2021. All submissions have been treated as public documents unless confidentiality was requested. The NT EPA published this notice in accordance with regulation 122 of the Environment Protection Regulations 2020.
SER documents
| Supplementary Environmental Report | Type |
|---|---|
| Declaration form | PDF 274.3 KB |
| Executive summary | PDF 1.4 MB |
| Main report | PDF 3.0 MB |
| Appendix A – Site water balance | PDF 1.2 MB |
| Appendix B – Groundwater Assessment | PDF 11.8 MB |
| Appendix C – Draft water management plan | PDF 4.4 MB |
| Appendix D – Engagement Reports | PDF 3.6 MB |
| Appendix E – Social impact management plan | PDF 517.8 KB |
| Appendix F – Authority certificate (not published) | |
| Appendix G – Traffic Impact Statement | PDF 4.1 MB |
| Appendix H – Geochemical testing | PDF 2.0 MB |
| Appendix I – Stylum ensatum survey report | PDF 2.6 MB |
| Appendix J – Social impact assessment | PDF 15.7 MB |
| Appendix K – Greenhouse gas assessment | PDF 1.1 MB |
| Appendix L – Groundwater investigation | PDF 4.1 MB |
| Submissions received | Type |
|---|---|
| Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority | PDF 403.1 KB |
| Department of Environment, Parks and Water Security | PDF 1.7 MB |
| Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade | PDF 58.0 KB |
| Department of Territory Families, Housing and Communities – Heritage Branch | PDF 298.6 KB |
| Department of the Attorney-General and Justice – NT WorkSafe | PDF 3.6 MB |
| NT Police, Fire and Emergency Services | PDF 3.7 MB |
Stage 3: Assessment completed
NT EPA notice
The NT EPA completed its assessment of the SER on 8 April 2022 and provided its Assessment Report and draft Environmental Approval to the Minister for Environment, under sections 64 and 65 of the EP Act.
The Assessment Report and draft Environmental Approval may be inspected and obtained below.
| Assessment document | Type |
|---|---|
| Assessment report including draft environmental approval | PDF 5.7 MB |
The NT EPA publishes this notice in accordance with section 67 of the Environment Protection Act 2019.
Once the Minister for Environment’s decision is made, it can be viewed here