Core Lithium Strengthens Board with Anna Neuling Appointment as Finniss Lithium Operation Prepares for Restart

Anna Neuling Joins Core Lithium Board to Enhance Governance Ahead of Finniss Restart

Effective 24 July 2026, Core Lithium has appointed Ms Anna Neuling as an Independent Non-Executive Director and Audit Committee Chair, strengthening governance as the company prepares to resume mining operations at its flagship Finniss Lithium Operation. Ms Neuling holds a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Newcastle University (UK), is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, and a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors program.

With 20 years in the resources sector, Ms Neuling’s expertise spans corporate finance, governance, commercial strategy, and business development. She currently serves as Lead Independent Non-Executive Director of ASX-listed MLG Oz Limited and Non-Executive Director of S2 Resources Limited. Her board experience includes roles at Spartan Resources Limited, where she chaired the Audit and Risk Committee before its merger with Ramelius Resources Limited. In executive roles, she was Executive Director, Corporate and Commercial at Sirius Resources Limited during its transformative Nova-Bollinger discovery and acquisition by Independence Group. Ms Neuling’s earlier career included senior finance and company secretarial positions at LionOre Mining International and other ASX-listed resource companies, beginning her professional journey at Deloitte.

Heath Hellewell Retires After Nearly 12 Years of Strategic Contribution to Core Lithium

Non-Executive Director Heath Hellewell will retire effective 31 July 2026 after nearly 12 years on Core Lithium’s board. Since joining in 2014, Mr Hellewell has played a pivotal role in the company’s growth, including the maiden mineral resource declaration in 2017, securing the mineral lease in 2019, and achieving first concentrate production in 2023. He also contributed significantly to the 2025 Restart Study, the $307 million funding package finalized in March 2026, and the planned restart of Finniss mining operations.

Mr Hellewell chaired the Nomination and Remuneration Committee since its inception in December 2021 and provided strategic guidance on Core’s Mineral Resource and Ore Reserves, particularly supporting the BP33 Underground development. Chair Malcolm McComas praised Mr Hellewell’s "exceptional decade-long contribution," highlighting his expertise in geology, mining operations, and finance as integral to the company’s transition back to production supported by a long-life mineral resource base.

Finniss Lithium Operation: Core Lithium’s Strategic Asset in the Critical Minerals Sector

Core Lithium’s primary asset, the Finniss Lithium Operation, is situated on the Cox Peninsula in the Northern Territory, approximately 88 kilometres south-west of Darwin Port via sealed road. This location offers strategic logistical advantages for mineral export and supply chain integration. The company is focused on delivering sustained shareholder value through critical minerals exploration and mining, adhering to strong environmental, safety, and social standards. Finniss serves as the cornerstone of Core Lithium’s strategic and operational initiatives.

Key milestones include the maiden mineral resource declaration in 2017, mineral lease acquisition in 2019, and first concentrate production in 2023, establishing Finniss as a producing hard-rock lithium asset. The BP33 Underground development is a vital part of the long-life mineral resource base underpinning Core’s medium- and long-term production strategy.

$307 Million Funding Package Enables Finniss Production Restart and Growth

In March 2026, Core Lithium completed a $307 million funding package, providing the capital required to support the Finniss Lithium Operation’s restart and ongoing activities. This significant investment underscores confidence from institutional investors and financing partners in the project’s fundamentals and Core’s operational capabilities. The funding milestone is critical to recommencing mining operations at Finniss.

The funding’s completion, followed by the appointment of Ms Neuling to strengthen governance, reflects a coordinated approach to executing the company’s restart timeline. Ms Neuling’s extensive experience in resources sector corporate finance and governance aligns with the oversight needed for a capital-intensive, long-life mining operation. Together, robust funding, skilled management, and enhanced board governance establish a strong foundation for successful operational restart and sustained production.

Board Renewal Aligns with Strategic Growth as Core Lithium Advances to Production Phase

The simultaneous appointment of Ms Neuling and retirement of Mr Hellewell signify a planned board renewal as Core Lithium transitions from development to production. Chair Malcolm McComas described Ms Neuling’s appointment as enhancing Core’s "board and governance capabilities as the Company continues to execute its operational and development plans and pursue future growth opportunities at the Finniss Lithium Operation."

Mr Hellewell noted the timing: "with board renewal underway and funding in place for the Finniss project, it's the right time to move on," indicating a coordinated governance transition. Ms Neuling’s expertise in Audit Committee leadership strengthens financial oversight and risk management, critical during the transition from shutdown to active production. Her background in audit and risk management across ASX-listed resource companies aligns with best practice governance standards tailored to mining sector demands.

Critical Minerals Market and Lithium Demand Contextualize Core Lithium’s Strategic Position

Operating within the critical minerals sector, Core Lithium’s hard-rock lithium production addresses growing global demand driven by battery technologies, energy storage, and industrial applications. The Finniss restart coincides with heightened global focus on securing diversified lithium supply chains beyond dominant markets. Australia’s Cox Peninsula location offers supply chain security advantages amid geopolitical risk concerns.

Core Lithium’s positioning as an Australian hard-rock lithium producer aligns with global supply chain priorities and government policies emphasizing critical minerals security. Australia’s regulatory framework, resource endowment, and mining infrastructure provide competitive advantages. The long-life mineral resource base at Finniss, developed over nearly a decade, supports sustained production beyond typical commodity cycles. The board’s governance and strategic focus aim to establish Finniss as a dependable long-term producer in the critical minerals landscape.

Governance Transition Highlights Risk Management Focus During Operational Restart

The timing of board changes amid Finniss’s restart reflects strategic governance planning during a phase with elevated operational and financial risks. Transitioning from development-phase to active production involves complex operational, financial, and market challenges. Appointing an experienced Audit Committee Chair with financial governance expertise across ASX-listed resource companies signals prioritization of financial reporting, compliance, and risk management during restart.

The 2025 Restart Study underpins operational parameters, cost structures, production targets, and capital requirements for Finniss’s recommencement. Concurrent board renewal equips Core Lithium with governance oversight essential for executing the restart plan. Ms Neuling’s experience in major company transformations, including Sirius Resources’ Nova-Bollinger discovery and acquisition, reflects the board’s recognition of the restart as a transformational phase requiring seasoned governance.

Departing Director Hellewell’s Strategic Legacy at Core Lithium

Heath Hellewell’s nearly 12-year board tenure spans Finniss’s entire development journey from initial resource definition to first production and restart planning. The maiden mineral resource declared in 2017 laid the technical foundation for development; the 2019 mineral lease acquisition secured regulatory approval; and first concentrate production in 2023 demonstrated operational viability, informing the 2025 Restart Study.

Mr Hellewell contributed strategically to the BP33 Underground development, a critical element of Core’s long-life mineral resource strategy. As Nomination and Remuneration Committee Chair since December 2021, he influenced leadership recruitment and retention, positioning Core for the restart phase. His retirement reflects confidence that the company’s management and funding are now equipped to deliver the restart plan independently. He stated, "knowing that the Company has a management team that has the experience to deliver the plan."

Audit Committee Leadership Under Ms Neuling to Oversee Restart Execution

Ms Neuling’s role as Audit Committee Chair is pivotal during Finniss’s restart. The committee oversees financial reporting accuracy, regulatory compliance, risk management, and internal controls. These responsibilities are critical as the company manages complex operational workflows, capital expenditure, cost control, and production scheduling during transition from shutdown to active production.

Her prior role as Chair of Audit and Risk Committee at Spartan Resources Limited and governance roles at other ASX-listed resource companies equip her with sector-specific knowledge to guide Core’s operational oversight. Under her leadership, the Audit Committee will independently monitor management’s execution of operational and financial functions, enhancing governance during this vital restart phase.