Lei Lithium Project

The Lei Lithium Project is a proposed underground lithium mine being developed by Lithium Plus Minerals within the Bynoe Pegmatite Field on the Cox Peninsula, Northern Territory.

The project would produce lithium-bearing spodumene ore used in batteries and renewable energy technologies.

The project is located on the Cox Peninsula, just east of Bynoe, and approximately 80 kilometres by road from the East Arm Wharf facility at Darwin Port.

Lithium is a critical mineral used in rechargeable batteries for electric vehicles, renewable energy storage systems, mobile phones, and other technologies that support the global transition to cleaner energy.

The project holds a granted Mining Lease; however, additional approvals are needed before mining starts. LPM submitted a Referral Application to the NT EPA in 2024 and is currently preparing a Supplementary Environmental Report (SER). Other required approvals include an Authority Certificate to be issued by AAPA.

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• Attend community information sessions
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• To provide feedback use the form below

No. The Lei Project is an underground mining operation, which will be supported by surface infrastructure. A temporary surface box cut will be excavated to install a cut-and-cover tunnel to provide access to underground workings. The surface box cut will be backfilled during the construction phase.

Mining is expected to extend to approximately 700 metres below the surface.

No. The project is proposed as a Direct Shipping Ore (DSO) operation. Ore will be crushed and screened onsite but will not undergo chemical processing.

No. As the project does not propose an on-site processing plant, there will be no tailings storage facility.

The project is supported by a 20-year Mining Lease. Subject to approvals and economic conditions, LPM would like to start construction as early as next year (2027), with mining commencing in late 2027/28 and closure in the mid-2030s.

Water is expected to come from clean surface runoff, runoff from disturbed surface areas, and groundwater that flows into the underground mine and is pumped to the surface. This water will be captured in separate surface dams and used for operations; potable water will be delivered by tanker. The mine is expected to be self-sufficient unless an extreme drought occurs.

LPM are developing groundwater management measures to minimise impacts on surrounding groundwater users and environmental values.

Groundwater modelling, impact assessment and a water management plan are currently being prepared for the Supplementary Environmental Report. The water management plan will detail water quality monitoring and response plans if water quality is outside approved acceptable standards. The mine will also hold a licence to discharge mine-affected water to the Charlotte River when discharge licence conditions, such as the quality of water to be released and Charlotte River inflow rates, are met.

The project will not be taking water from the Charlotte River. However, it will capture and use surface run-off from a small part of the Charlotte River catchment area.

The project proposes:

• Dedicated mine-affected water storage dams, sized to minimise the risk of an uncontrolled release
• Licensed controlled releases of mine-affected water – allowing controlled releases only when licence conditions are met
• Sediment control structures
• Ongoing monitoring of groundwater and surface water quality and planned responses if quality is outside an approved range

Dust suppression measures are expected to include:

• Water spraying dusty operations e.g. crushing plant, ore stockpiles, and unsealed mine roads
• Dust monitoring
• Operational controls during dry and windy conditions
• Covering loads of ore being transported to the port
• Responding to dust complaints

Yes. Underground mining will use drill-and-blast methods. Blasting activities will be managed in accordance with regulatory requirements and safety standards.

Blasting will be designed and monitored to remain within approved vibration and air-blast limits. Monitoring programs would be implemented to ensure compliance.

Ecology surveys have identified threatened fauna within the Project area, including Black-footed Tree-rat and Northern Brushtail Possum. The Project design seeks to avoid and reduce impacts by retaining important habitat areas and applying management controls during clearing, construction and operations. Design measures include:

• Retention of a 100 m vegetation wildlife corridor connecting the Charlotte River to the eastern portion of the Project.
• Retention of a 250 m habitat buffer surrounding the Charlotte River to avoid clearing habitat near riparian areas.
• Retention of 76 ha of habitat with Black-footed Tree-rat records in the east of the Project area.

Ore will be transported by roadtrain to East Arm Wharf, Darwin Port, for export. Haulage will be restricted to daylight hours – 6:00 am to 6:00 pm.

Roadtrains would travel from the mine via Fog Bay Road, Cox Peninsula Road, Stuart Highway, Tiger Brennan Drive and Berrimah Road to East Arm Wharf.

During peak operations, approximately 20 two-way truck movements per day, including 18 roadtrain trips hauling ore to port, are expected.

LPM has completed a Traffic Impact Assessment. While sections of the road access to the mine require maintenance, the TIA indicates that the roads can accommodate the Project’s additional traffic without materially impacting capacity.

During peak operations, the Project is expected to generate approximately 68 two-way vehicle movements per day, including 48 light-vehicle movements and 20 heavy-vehicle movements (including roadtrains). Heavy vehicle movements are expected to be spread across the 6:00 am to 6:00 pm operating period.

To reduce Project-related road safety risks, LPM will implement the following measures:

• Fatigue management signage along Cox Peninsula Road to address broader road user risk.
• A blackout period for roadtrains near Berry Springs Primary School during drop-off and pick-up times.
• Management plans developed in consultation with the NT Government, including for driver fatigue and alcohol use.
• Bus transport for operators to and from Palmerston, with pick-up points along the route.

LPM will build a new channelised intersection accessing the mine on a long straight section of Fog Bay Road, and designed to meet all NT Government Road design standards.

LPM will prepare a road condition audit prior to starting construction works to establish the baseline condition of local roads, and will regularly monitor road conditions and identify maintenance needs.

LPM will implement any upgrades or mitigation measures required by regulators before operations commence.

Temporary road closures may occasionally be required for safety reasons. These closures would be short-term and communicated in advance where possible.

LPM proposes to inform communities by:

• Direct mail drops to residents, businesses and dwellings along key roads.
• Website updates with project information, FAQs, feedback mechanisms and “closing the loop” updates.
• Social media campaign, particularly through Facebook, to reach Berry Springs, Belyuen and Wagait Beach communities and direct people to the project website.
• Community information sessions/pop-ups at accessible local locations such as Berry Springs markets, Belyuen community centre and Wagait Beach supermarket.
• Posters, newsletters, fact sheets and flyers placed at local gathering places.
• Local media and community noticeboards
• Targeted meetings and briefings with local councils, community groups, and schools, and
• Project enquiry channels, including a project email address, phone line and website enquiry form.

Feedback can be provided through several channels:

• Community information sessions / pop-ups at local places.
• Project enquiry channels, once established, including a project email address, phone line and website enquiry form.
• Direct conversations with the project team during stakeholder meetings, briefings and community drop-in sessions.
• Responses to direct mail, flyers, fact sheets, newsletters or posters, which will direct people to the project website and feedback channels.
• Social media, particularly the project Facebook page, which will direct people to project information and feedback mechanisms.
• Formal submissions during the SER public exhibition period, when the Supplementary Environmental Report is released for public comment through the NTEPA process.
• Through local councils, community groups and representative bodies

Traditional Owners will be consulted through a dedicated Aboriginal engagement and cultural heritage process led by LPM and its cultural heritage specialist, Remote Heritage Services. Engagement will occur through recognised statutory and representative pathways, including the Northern Land Council, AAPA, Larrakia representative organisations and identified custodians with authority to speak for Country.

No permanent accommodation camp is currently proposed. Workers are expected to travel to and from the site. However, LPM will provide bus transport for workers to and from Palmerston, with pick-up points along the route.

Yes. Employment opportunities are expected during both construction and operations.

Most of the work at the mine will be done by specialist construction and mining contractors. LPM will encourage contractors to prioritise recruiting from the local workforce whenever possible.  LPM expects most of the workforce to live in the surrounding area and will provide bus transport for workers to and from Palmerston, with pick-up points along the route.

Businesses can register their interest directly with LPM and/or its contractors.

LPM will provide early visibility into upcoming work packages where practicable and encourage its contractors to identify opportunities for local businesses, suppliers, and workers. Contracting arrangements will also consider whether packages can be structured in a way that is accessible to capable local businesses

Opportunities may include:

• Civil works
• Transport services
• Equipment hire
• Mechanical services
• Environmental services
• Off-site accommodation and catering
• General supplies

The site will undergo rehabilitation and closure activities designed to return the area to a safe, stable and non-polluting state, with long-term monitoring of land stability, vegetation and water quality

LPM is preparing a concept mine closure plan as part of the SER. It will set out how disturbed areas will be made safe, stable and non-polluting after mining. It will address the removal of temporary infrastructure, the rehabilitation of disturbed landforms, the management of mine openings and waste materials, and the long-term monitoring of land stability, vegetation, and water quality.

The final landform will be generally consistent with the pre-mine landform. Mine waste will be backfilled underground.

The current plan is to return the site to its pre-mine land use.

The objective of the concept mine closure plan is to avoid legacy mine impacts by designing closure outcomes early, progressively rehabilitating areas where practicable, and confirming that final closure criteria are met before site relinquishment.

LPM will be responsible for meeting all closure and rehabilitation obligations required by Northern Territory legislation and approval conditions.

An SER is a detailed environmental assessment document that identifies potential project impacts and proposed management measures. It is reviewed by the NT Environment Protection Authority (NT EPA).

Yes. The SER will be publicly available and open for public comment once released by the NT EPA.