Kodal Minerals Awaits Export Permit as Lithium Stockpiles Build at Bougouni Project
AIM-listed Kodal Minerals is advancing toward its first lithium export from Mali, with substantial spodumene concentrate stockpiles accumulating at its Bougouni lithium project, as the company awaits finalization of an export permit.
At the core of this development is Kodal’s 49%-owned Malian subsidiary, Les Mines de Lithium de Bougouni, which is actively progressing open-pit mining and processing at the Stage 1 dense media separation (DMS) plant.
Kodal CEO Bernard Aylward confirmed that spodumene concentrate production has now surpassed 45,000 tonnes, ready for export.
He added that plant improvements are ongoing, and operations continue to ramp up despite some temporary challenges on site.
One such challenge is restricted access to lower levels of the Ngoualana open-pit, caused by heavy rainfall and water accumulation.
Pumping efforts are underway, and full access is expected to resume shortly. Additionally, overburden and weathered material are being cleared to reach the final pit boundaries.
Aylward also noted that delays in the delivery of explosives have impacted mining operations, although this issue is expected to be resolved soon.
On the permitting front, Mali’s Minister of Mines, Professor Amadou Keita, and Bougouni’s regional governor, Ousmane Wele, conducted a site visit last week.
According to Kodal, the visit yielded positive feedback, reinforcing expectations that the export permit will be issued soon.
The on-site team emphasized the urgency of the permit, given the significant volume of spodumene ready for shipment and the limited remaining storage capacity at the project site.
Meanwhile, Kodal’s project team is advancing site preparations for first export, including engagements with port authorities in Abidjan and San Pedro, Côte d’Ivoire, to ensure infrastructure readiness for shipment.
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