Global Lithium Resources Limited (ASX: GL1) has achieved a major regulatory milestone for its 100%-owned Manna Lithium Project in Western Australia’s Goldfields, securing the key approvals required to clear the way for early works and construction.
The Company announced on 20 August 2026 that its Native Vegetation Clearing Permit (NVCP) for Manna had been approved and taken effect, while the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) has provided technical support for the grant of the project’s Groundwater Licence (GWL).
Figure 1: Aerial perspective of Global Lithium Resources’ Manna Lithium Project. [Global Lithium Resources]
The latest approvals follow the Mining Development and Closure Proposal (MDCP) approval announced on 4 August 2026, giving Global Lithium a strong regulatory platform as it advances towards its targeted Final Investment Decision (FID) in the December quarter of 2026.
Three Major Approvals Put Manna on the Construction Path
The NVCP represents a significant step for Manna because it authorises the Company to clear up to 875 hectares across Mining Lease 28/414 and Miscellaneous Licences 28/86, 28/97 and 28/98.
The permit will remain valid for five years until 19 August 2031. Importantly, the statutory appeal period concluded without any appeals, allowing the approval to take effect and supporting the Company’s plans to commence early site activities.
At the same time, DWER has confirmed technical support for the Manna Groundwater Licence. The supported water entitlement fully covers the requirements of the current Manna operating plan, while retaining additional groundwater capacity for potential future expansion.
Together, the MDCP, NVCP and supported GWL address the primary State approvals needed to begin early works at the project.
Global Lithium Managing Director Dr Dianmin Chen highlighted the significance of the rapid regulatory progress.
“Three major approvals in a fortnight is a credit to the professionalism of DMPE and DWER and to the depth of our own team’s technical work. Manna is now cleared on the ground, cleared to take water, and ready to move into construction.”
Figure 2: Dianmin Chen, Managing Director & CEO, Global Lithium Resources [Global Lithium Resources]
Works Approval Moves Towards Completion
Global Lithium has also continued to progress the remaining Works Approval with DWER. The Company expects to receive this approval before the end of the September 2026 quarter.
The Works Approval would complete the primary State approvals runway for Manna, further reducing the regulatory barriers ahead of construction and mining activities.
The Company said the NVCP approval arrived in line with its internal timelines and supports its integrated Manna-Nova strategy. This progress also helps Global Lithium advance towards its targeted FID during the December quarter of 2026.
Dr Chen said the approvals would also create broader regional benefits:
“These approvals pave the way for starting early works and then mining operations at Manna, which will generate jobs, boost economic activity in the region, and benefit all stakeholders including our local communities for many years to come.”
Manna Targets First DSO in Q2 2027
The regulatory progress comes as Global Lithium works towards an accelerated development schedule for Manna.
The Company is targeting FID in the December quarter of 2026 and plans to move rapidly from early works towards first direct shipping ore (DSO) in the second quarter of 2027.
Global Lithium then plans to produce its first SC5.5 spodumene concentrate in mid-2027.
This timeline gives investors several important near-term milestones to monitor as the Company transitions from approvals and development into construction and production.
Manna’s Resource and Reserve Base
The Manna Lithium Project hosts a substantial mineral inventory, supporting Global Lithium’s ambition to establish the project as a significant lithium development in Western Australia.
| Manna metric | Reported figure |
| Mineral Resource | 51.6Mt @ 1.0% Li₂O |
| Ore Reserve | 19.4Mt @ 0.91% Li₂O |
| Location | 110km east of Kalgoorlie |
| Ownership | 100% |
The Company reports a 51.6Mt Indicated and Inferred Mineral Resource grading 1.0% Li₂O at Manna, while the project has a Grand Total Ore Reserve of 19.4Mt grading 0.91% Li₂O.
The Ore Reserve comprises 14.4Mt of open-cut Proved and Probable material at 0.93% Li₂O and 5.0Mt of underground Probable material at 0.84% Li₂O.
Figure 3: Global Lithium Resources’ Manna Project shows strong lithium potential, with extensive drilling defining significant mineralisation across Manna, Manna North Eastern Extension and Manna East. [Global Lithium Resources]
Share Price Activity Reflects Growing Investor Interest
Global Lithium’s regulatory progress has coincided with a strong period of share price performance.
As at the latest reported price of $0.695, GL1 has delivered a 47.87% gain over one month and has risen 12.10% year-to-date in 2026. Over the past year, the stock has surged 239.02%, substantially outperforming the ASX 200 by 237.33 percentage points.
| Share Price Activity | Performance |
| Last price | $0.695 |
| 1 Month | +47.87% |
| 2026 YTD | +12.10% |
| 1 Year | +239.02% |
| vs ASX 200 (1 yr) | +237.33% |
The Company currently has a market capitalisation of approximately $192.86 million.
Figure 4: Incredible share price performance of Global Lithium Stock
Investors’ Outlook
Global Lithium has moved Manna considerably closer to the construction phase after securing three major regulatory milestones in a fortnight.
- NVCP approval now clears the Company to undertake authorised vegetation clearing across key mining and infrastructure areas
- DWER’s technical support for the groundwater licence confirms water requirements are met while preserving capacity for future expansion
- The MDCP approval completes the core trio of State approvals required to commence early works
The next major catalyst is the expected Works Approval before the end of the September 2026 quarter, followed by the targeted FID in the December quarter.
A key component of Global Lithium’s development strategy is the proposed acquisition of 100% of the Nova Operation, located approximately 170km south of Manna. The acquisition would provide access to an established processing plant and associated infrastructure with significant potential to reduce overall capex and accelerate production.
Investors will also be watching Global Lithium’s progress towards first DSO in Q2 2027 and first SC5.5 spodumene concentrate production in mid-2027.
The Company enters this next phase with a 51.6Mt Manna Mineral Resource and 19.4Mt Ore Reserve, providing a substantial resource base for its development plans.
At the same time, investors should consider the Company’s stated risks around forecasts, estimates, assumptions and other forward-looking statements, as actual outcomes may differ materially from expectations.
The latest approvals represent a significant de-risking milestone for Global Lithium, positioning Manna to transition from regulatory approvals and early works towards construction, FID and ultimately lithium production.
Disclaimer
This article has been prepared by Colitco in collaboration with Global Lithium Resources as part of a commercial content and investor communications arrangement. Colitco may receive compensation for the production and distribution of this content. This article is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial product advice, investment advice, or a recommendation to buy or sell any securities. The content reflects information available at the time of publication and may not be updated. All figures, data and statements have been sourced from Global Lithium Resources official ASX announcements and publicly available sources. Readers should conduct their own independent research and seek professional financial advice before making any investment decisions. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. Exploration results are not a guarantee of future resource definition or commercial production.
Luke Carlino is a seasoned Copywriter, Content Strategist, and Social Media Manager specialising in Mining, Finance, and Business journalism. With more than a decade of industry experience, he brings rigorous editorial standards and commercial acuity to every project.
