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BAMAKO - Mali’s Minister of Mines, Professor Amadou Keita, and Bougouni Regional Governor General Ousmane Wele visited Kodal Minerals ’ (AIM:LON:KOD) Bougouni Lithium Project last week to review operations, according to a company press release statement.
The project, operated by Les Mines de Lithium de Bougouni SA (LMLB), a subsidiary in which Kodal holds a 49 percent stake, has accumulated over 45,000 tonnes of spodumene concentrate ready for export, awaiting permit approval from Malian authorities.
During the ministerial visit, LMLB officials emphasized the urgent need for export permits to be issued, highlighting storage space concerns for the growing concentrate stockpile. The project team is preparing for first shipments and coordinating with ports in Côte d’Ivoire.
The Dense Media Separation (DMS) processing plant continues to operate, processing pegmatite ore with ongoing improvements. However, open-pit mining at Ngoualana faces challenges due to seasonal rainfall causing water accumulation in lower pit levels. Mining activities currently focus on removing overburden and weathered material.
Operations have also been affected by delays in explosives delivery, an issue raised during the ministerial visit that is expected to be resolved soon.
The company reports that local workforce development continues, with training programs for various operational shifts in compliance with Mali’s local content requirements.
Bernard Aylward, CEO of Kodal Minerals, stated that the LMLB team is "working closely with the government of Mali to finalise the requirements for an export permit" which would allow transportation of the spodumene concentrate to ports for shipment to China.
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