Kodal Minerals Begins Spodumene Concentrate Production at Bougouni Lithium Project

Bougouni Lithium Mine

Kodal Minerals has officially started spodumene concentrate production at its Bougouni lithium project in southern Mali, marking a major milestone for the company. The first concentrate was produced ahead of schedule during the commissioning phase of the Stage 1 Dense Media Separation (DMS) processing plant.

Early Production Milestone

Located approximately 180km south of Bamako, the Bougouni lithium project spans 350km² within the Birimian terrain of West Africa. Kodal Minerals completed a $117.75 million financing package for the project in November 2023, paving the way for its rapid development.

The company’s commissioning process has progressed smoothly, moving through key stages including water commissioning, ore introduction, and process optimization. Initial assay results confirm a concentrate grade of 5.53% Li₂O, aligning with the planned production targets.

Scaling Up Operations

Mining at the Ngoualana deposit is ongoing, with over 350,000 tonnes of run-of-mine (ROM) ore stockpiled at an average grade of 1.17% Li₂O, ready for processing. As operations ramp up, the Bougouni site has transitioned to 24/7 production.

Construction of the processing plant and associated infrastructure was completed within the $65 million capital development budget, with only minor optimization work remaining. The DMS plant is expected to reach full operational capacity in the coming weeks.

Strategic Growth and First Shipments

Kodal Minerals has also confirmed that the transfer of the mining license has been lodged with Mali’s Mines Department (DNGM) and is awaiting final approval.

Meanwhile, the first batch of lithium spodumene concentrate has undergone successful testing at the site’s laboratory, confirming that it meets target specifications. The company expects to achieve steady-state production and complete its first shipment to China by the end of March 2025.

CEO’s Perspective

Kodal Minerals CEO Bernard Aylward commented on the milestone, stating: “The first production of spodumene concentrate at Bougouni is a major achievement for Kodal, and I want to extend my gratitude to our entire team for their dedication and hard work. We are confident this progress will continue as we move into full-scale commercial production. Our project team remains focused on reaching our target of 10,000 tonnes per month at Bougouni.”

With operations on track and first shipments imminent, Kodal Minerals is positioning itself as a key player in West Africa’s growing lithium sector, supporting the global demand for battery metals.