Context
Core Lithium is an Australian lithium mining company which is the 100% owner and operator of the Finniss Lithium Operation in remote Northern Territory. The traditional owners of the land are the Larrekeyah people. Core lithium’s existing open pit operations were coming to end of life and new ore body, BP33, was identified at a site 5 km away.
The Brief
- Complete the detailed design of an existing concept-level engineering solution
- Expedite the delivery of the project
Minimising the impacts (on the project, environment and community) working in a tropical environment during the ‘wet season’
The Project
$100M underground mine expansion. Partially completed before the client shut down the project as Lithium prices dropped making the mine unviable.
Our Scope
Ammjohn Solutions was effectively the Principal Contractor responsible for:
- Detailed design management
- Contract administration
- Project controls
- Site management.
Outcomes Delivered
Ammjohn Solutions were able to take a concept-level study and fast-track delivery in a very challenging tropical environment. Additionally, until the project was stopped by the client (due to falling lithium prices), the project achieved:
- A high standard of safety awareness with no IR issues
- A fully integrated collaborative project delivery team & high degree of stakeholder engagement
- A high degree of project controls including cost and schedule reporting
Key Attributes Demonstrated
- Rapid mobilisation
Ammjohn Solutions were appointed late after the client changed the delivery strategy. We mobilised very quickly and managed the detailed design priorities so that site works could commence in matter of weeks. - Competency
Ammjohn Solutions acted as the onsite PC managing the project scope, project cost, and the construction works on site. - Schedule
Ammjohn Solutions was able to accelerate the pace of construction works quickly, achieving a $12M a month spend in the third month (spend similar to that of HJP project under PMC/PC management). - Managing a challenging regulatory environment
Ammjohn Solutions worked closely with the client to navigate a protracted environmental approval process. - Project harmony
When the client stopped project suddenly (due to falling lithium prices), and all contractors were demobilised by Ammjohn Solutions (and including Ammjohn Solutions) without any commercial disputes or consequences for the client. This was an exercise in collaboration and negotiation which by Ammjohn Solutions.
