GL1 targets Esperance for lithium export: logistics and civil works lens for engineers
Reviewed by Joe Ashwell

First reported on Australian Mining
30 Second Briefing
Global Lithium Resources (GL1) is targeting the Port of Esperance as an export outlet for spodumene concentrate from its Manna lithium project east of Kalgoorlie, signing an agreement to progress port access and logistics planning. The move focuses on securing ship-loading capacity and integrating road haulage from the mine to Esperance, rather than railing via existing iron ore corridors. For geotechnical and civil contractors, the strategy points to future demand for heavy-haul road upgrades, stockpile pads and bulk-handling infrastructure along the Kalgoorlie–Esperance corridor.
Technical Brief
- GL1 is assessing storage, stockpile and shiploader interface requirements within Southern Ports’ existing landholdings.
- Road logistics studies will need to address heavy-vehicle access, fatigue management and highway interactions.
- Port-side works are expected to focus on laydown areas, dust control and potential spodumene-specific handling systems.
- Early engagement with Southern Ports allows GL1 to align mine ramp-up with berth and handling availability.
Our Take
Within our 47 lithium-tagged pieces, most export routes centre on Pilbara and Mid West ports, so Global Lithium Resources looking to Esperance signals a diversification of Western Australian lithium export corridors beyond the usual hubs.
For a Kalgoorlie-based project like Manna, targeting Esperance can materially shorten road haul distances compared with northern ports, which typically improves delivered cost to ship and can influence which offtakers view the project as competitive.
In our broader Projects and Contract Award coverage, early moves to secure port pathways often precede financing milestones, suggesting GL1 is positioning the Manna lithium project to be ‘infrastructure-ready’ when market or funding windows open.
Prepared by collating external sources, AI-assisted tools, and Geomechanics.io’s proprietary mining database, then reviewed for technical accuracy & edited by our geotechnical team.
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