Core Lithium Ltd (ASX: CXO) shares were moving around early on Monday before falling into the red.
This comes after the company released a new update from its Finniss Lithium Project in the Northern Territory.
At the time of writing, the Core Lithium share price is down 2.62% to 29.7 cents.
Despite today’s fall, the lithium stock is still up 8% since the start of 2026 and has rocketed 238% over the past 12 months.
Let’s take a closer look at what was in today’s announcement.
Underground work begins at BP33
In a statement to the ASX, Core Lithium said underground decline development has now started at the BP33 deposit.
This is a major step for Finniss, which sits about 88 kilometres by sealed road from Darwin Port.
The company said BP33 is expected to provide a long-life, low-cost underground production base, with a mine life of more than 10 years. It also remains open at depth, which means there could be room to extend the operation over time.
The underground development will run alongside the current open-pit mining at Grants.
Core Lithium expects Grants to deliver around 780,000 to 790,000 tonnes of ore and 130,000 to 140,000 tonnes of spodumene concentrate.
Ore from Grants is expected to be processed during the September quarter, with shipments to continue soon after and run through 2027.
First shipment leaves Darwin
The update also included some progress on shipments.
Core Lithium confirmed that its Finniss logistics chain is now fully operational after the first shipment of lithium fines and spodumene concentrate left Darwin Port.
The shipment included 20,000 tonnes of lithium fines and 5,000 tonnes of spodumene concentrate.
The company expects to receive payment before the end of the June quarter, giving it another cash inflow while activity at Finniss ramps up.
Managing Director Paul Brown said the start of underground development at BP33 was a major milestone for the company.
He also said the first shipment showed that Core Lithium’s port and logistics network was now operating as planned.
Core Lithium still has work to do
Core Lithium has had a difficult few years, along with much of the lithium sector, after spodumene prices dropped from their highs.
Today’s update is a step in the right direction, with BP33 moving underground and the first shipment leaving Darwin Port.
However, the company now needs to keep the momentum going at Finniss if the share price run is to continue.
The post This ASX lithium stock just reached a key milestone. Why is it down? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.
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Motley Fool contributor Aaron Teboneras has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.