Kodal launches lithium exports from Mali’s Bougouni mine

Kodal Minerals plc has achieved a major operational breakthrough with the commencement of lithium exports from its Bougouni Lithium Project in southern Mali. The start of concentrate shipments marks the transition from commissioning to full commercial operations, positioning Bougouni as one of West Africa’s first producing lithium mines. This development represents not only a milestone for Kodal Minerals but also a significant step forward for Mali’s emerging role in the global battery metals supply chain. By moving lithium spodumene concentrate to international markets, Kodal has entered the monetisation phase of the project, turning years of exploration and development into tangible economic returns.

The company’s initial shipment consists of 30,000 tonnes of spodumene concentrate, drawn from a total stockpile of 45,000 tonnes. The concentrate is being transported by truck from Bougouni to the Port of San Pedro in Côte d’Ivoire, a strategic logistics corridor connecting Mali’s landlocked mines to international export routes. From San Pedro, the lithium product will be shipped to China, specifically to Hainan, under an existing offtake agreement. Revenue recognition will begin once vessel loading at the port is completed, officially marking Bougouni’s entry into the global lithium market.

The Bougouni project began production earlier in 2025 through a dense media separation (DMS) plant designed to produce 125,000 tonnes per annum (tpa) of lithium oxide (Li₂O) concentrate in its first stage. A second development phase, scheduled for 2028, will introduce a flotation plant that could increase output to around 230,000 tpa. Kodal’s operations are supported by Mali’s regulatory framework, which recently granted an export permit allowing up to 125,000 tonnes of concentrate to be shipped. This milestone underscores the government’s commitment to developing the country’s critical minerals sector and facilitating the export of value-added resources.

Strategically, the launch of exports from Bougouni enhances Mali’s position as an emerging lithium producer at a time when global demand for battery materials continues to rise. It also demonstrates the growing importance of West Africa’s logistical corridors, such as the Bougouni–San Pedro route, for the movement of high-value minerals. The project’s success could attract further investment into the region’s lithium potential, catalysing industrial development and regional trade integration.

For Africa’s broader mining economy, Kodal’s achievement signifies the continent’s increasing participation in the energy transition value chain. As countries like Mali, Ghana, and Namibia expand their lithium production capabilities, Africa is poised to play a more prominent role in supplying the minerals that underpin global electrification and battery technologies. The Bougouni export milestone thus represents a turning point not only for Kodal Minerals but also for Mali’s economic diversification and West Africa’s growing footprint in the global clean energy landscape.

Mini-Glossary

• Spodumene Concentrate: A lithium-bearing mineral product processed from ore, typically containing 5–6% lithium oxide (Li₂O), used in the manufacture of batteries.
• Li₂O (Lithium Oxide): The chemical form in which lithium is commonly expressed in mineral products and pricing.
• DMS (Dense Media Separation) Plant: A processing facility that separates minerals based on density, often used in early-stage lithium operations.
• Flotation Plant: A processing facility that uses air bubbles and chemicals to separate valuable minerals from waste material, enhancing product grade.
• Offtake Agreement: A contract between a producer and a buyer to purchase or sell a portion of the production, providing revenue certainty.
• Monetisation Phase: The stage of a project where production transitions into revenue generation through commercial sales.