Kodal Minerals (LON: KOD) is advancing open pit mining at the Bougouni lithium project in Mali, facing challenges due to heavy rainfall. The project aims to become Mali’s second operational lithium mine, following spodumene production at the Goulamina project in December 2024. Kodal holds a 49% stake in the project, operated by local company Les Mines de Lithium de Bougouni SA (LMLB).
The DMS processing plant is currently producing over 45,000 tonnes of spodumene concentrate for export. Despite operational difficulties, including restricted access to lower pit levels, the team is preparing for a shutdown and maintenance period in late August. A recent site visit by Mali’s Minister of Mines Amadou Keita highlighted the urgency for an export permit, crucial for transporting the substantial stockpile of concentrate to ports in Côte d’Ivoire for shipment.
Kodal CEO Bernard Aylward confirmed that collaboration with the Malian government is ongoing to finalize the export permit requirements, enabling the shipment of spodumene concentrate to China.
