If you have rail to port shifting lithium concentrate to port...

If you have rail to port shifting lithium concentrate to port shouldn't destroy the economics. It will clearly impact but not to the extent fear mongering individuals suggest. The graph below was from Australian Government Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development. While the currency isn't noted it should be AUD given its an Australian government report. The cost of rail used to be 4c/ton km. Allowing for inflation it's probably now 5-6c but in a quick search I didn't find a current figure. At 4c for 15 years before 2016 using 6c should be a conservative overstatement. A ton of SC5.5 or SC6 by 1300km of rail to port is A$78. At GS forecast prices like US$800/t its an important price to consider. At prices like US$1,500-US$4,000/t for SC6 its not that bigger issue.

If Barrow creek area has a large lithium deposit to be found and Core finds it, with rail available transportation to port isn't going to be a major issue.


https://www.bitre.gov.au/sites/default/files/is_090.pdf
is_090.pdf (bitre.gov.au)