Kodal Minerals secures Bougouni export permit, enabling 125,000 tonnes spodumene exports, reinforcing Mali’s lithium industry growth and international supply role.
AIM-listed Kodal Minerals has officially received the long-awaited export permit for its Bougouni lithium project, marking an important milestone in the development of one of Mali’s most promising mining operations. The permit authorises the export of an initial 125,000 tonnes of spodumene concentrate, pending the completion of final administrative steps in the export process.
The Bougouni lithium project is operated by Les Mines de Lithium de Bougouni (LMLB), a Mali-registered company that is a subsidiary of Kodal Mining UK. Kodal Minerals holds a 49% shareholding in this entity. The approval was granted through a formal letter from Mali’s Ministry of Mines and was signed by Mines Minister Professor Amadou Keita, reaffirming the government’s backing for the project.
Kodal Minerals’ CEO, Bernard Aylward, emphasised the strategic importance of the permit. He highlighted that it represents a critical step forward, not only for Kodal’s operations but also for Mali’s emerging spodumene industry. According to Aylward, the export licence demonstrates the strong support of the Mali Ministry of Mines and the wider government in fostering the expansion and long-term success of the Bougouni project.
The export authorisation also confirms the pricing mechanism for spodumene concentrate, which will be based on the Shanghai Metal Market (SMM) reference price. The Ministry retains the right to monitor and adjust prices if necessary. Kodal further confirmed that its offtake agreement for the Bougouni project is aligned with this SMM reference, ensuring a transparent and internationally recognised pricing structure.
In addition to securing the export licence, Kodal Minerals has finalised a transport agreement with a leading Malian logistics provider. This arrangement covers the movement of spodumene concentrate from the Bougouni mine site to port facilities in Côte d’Ivoire, facilitating efficient international shipping.
The company has also reaffirmed its commitment to regulatory compliance, stating that all taxes, duties, and levies related to the project will be paid on time. According to Aylward, the final administrative procedures are expected to be wrapped up soon. Following this, the mobilisation of a trucking fleet will commence immediately, enabling the first shipments of spodumene concentrate to leave Mali.
The export licence marks a major advancement in Kodal’s strategy to transition Bougouni from a development-stage project to a producing asset capable of contributing significantly to the global lithium supply chain. With lithium demand continuing to rise due to its critical role in electric vehicle batteries and renewable energy storage, the Bougouni project positions Kodal as a key player in supplying international markets while also strengthening Mali’s role in the fast-growing battery materials sector.
