UK-based Kodal Minerals has announced the successful production of its first Li₂O spodumene concentrate at the Bougouni Lithium Project in southern Mali.
This milestone was reached during the commissioning phase of the stage one dense media separation (DMS) processing plant.
The initial spodumene concentrate, assaying at 5.53 per cent Li₂O, was produced ahead of schedule and aligns with the company’s planned production profile.
Kodal Minerals is now focused on ramping up the DMS processing plant to its nameplate capacity in the coming weeks.
The commissioning process included water commissioning and the introduction of pegmatite ore into the plant.
Current efforts are directed towards reviewing and balancing the processing circuits and density loading of the DMS units.
“The first production of spodumene concentrate at Bougouni marks a major milestone for Kodal,” said Bernard Aylward, CEO of Kodal Minerals.
“I would like to thank our entire team for this achievement, which wholly reflects the dedication and effort of all those involved.”
Construction costs for the project have remained within the US$65 million budget, with only minor optimisation works remaining.
The Bougouni Lithium Project is fully financed through Hainan Group’s US$117.5 million funding agreement.
Mining activities at the Ngoualana open pit have resulted in a run-of-mine (ROM) stockpile exceeding 350,000 tonnes of ore with an average grade of 1.17 per cent Li₂O.
Kodal Minerals anticipates achieving steady-state production and is preparing for its first product shipment to China by the end of March 2025.
Aylward added: “We are confident that this progress will continue into the commercial production phase, and our project team will continue to work towards our 10,000t per month target at Bougouni.”
The operational focus in the coming weeks will be on finalising the commissioning and stress testing of the DMS processing plant as the company ramps up to achieve nameplate capacity and steady-state production.
Kodal Minerals expects to confirm its first shipment of lithium spodumene concentrate to Hainan in China by the end of this quarter.
