A joint venture with Leo Lithium and Ganfeng, the Goulamina Lithium Project in Mali is West Africa's first spodumene producer to supply the booming lithium-ion battery industry.
Once in production, the Bougouni project will become the first lithium mine in Mali, with estimated annual spodumene concentrate production of 125,000 tonnes during its first stage. Over this initial four-year period, production will only feature material from the Ngoualana deposit, processed using DMS methods.
While South Africa has no lithium-ion battery cell manufacturers, several companies are involved in battery pack assembly. Demand for all types of batteries is also expected to come from the rollout of renewable energy projects.
What is the goulamina Lithium Project?
The Goulamina Lithium Project (Goulamina) is a spodumene project with development underway, located 50km west of Bougouni in Mali with all approvals and key permits received to bring the project into production. An updated Definitive Feasibility study (DFS) was completed in December 2021.
Where does lithium come from?
Lithium is found in various naturally occurring sources, including brine deposits, hard rock minerals such as spodumene and petalite, and clay deposits. A 50/50 joint venture with Leo Lithium and Ganfeng, the Goulamina Lithium Project in Mali is West Africa's first spodumene producer to supply the booming lithium-ion battery industry.
Who owns the Bougouni project in Mali?
The joint venture between Kodal and Hainan currently holds 65% of the Bougouni project, with the Mali government owning the other 35%. Once in production, the Bougouni project will become the first lithium mine in Mali.