Core Lithium on Thursday confirmed the mining company has the funding needed to go ahead with the $89 million Finnis project west of Berry Springs.

The company will be digging lithium-bearing ore, used to make batteries, mobile phones, solar panels and more.

Workers will be needed for roles such as plant operators, geologists, administrative positions, truck drivers and construction work.

Contracting companies working for Core Lithium will do the recruiting. They are Lucas Total Contract Solutions and Primero Group.

Northern Territory Mining Minister Nicole Manison said the jobs would be within an hour's drive of Darwin.

"This is going to be fantastic for locals to have world class mining jobs right here," she said.

"It's going to be great for local business and it's going to be great for the mining industry and Territory economy."

She estimated the project would inject more than half a billion dollars into the economy in its first three years.

Core Lithium managing director Stephen Biggins said work on the mine would start immediately, with the first lithium concentrate to be produced before the end of next year.

Customers receiving the product will include Chinese companies Ganfeng and Yahua. The latter provides lithium to the world's biggest maker of electric cars, Tesla.

Lithium is expected to help power many future vehicles and devices as industry turns away from environmentally harmful coal and oil.

Australian Associated Press