Mali takes major leap in lithium mining with Bougouni project launch
Mali has officially entered the global lithium race with the greenlighting of the Bougouni mine’s operational phase. Approved during the April 16, 2025 cabinet meeting, this strategic project taps into one of West Africa’s richest lithium deposits – holding over 21 million tonnes at 1.11% lithium oxide grade.
The newly established Les Mines de Lithium de Bougouni SA embodies Mali’s reformed mining policy under its 2023 mining code. The ownership structure blends international expertise with local interests :
- UK’s Kodal Mining leads the consortium
- 35% stake reserved for Malian state and private investors
From Paper to Production
With 15millionalreadycommittedinphasedpaymentsand15millionalreadycommittedinphasedpaymentsand65 million earmarked for initial development, the project is hitting the ground running.
The dense media separation plant became operational last February, targeting monthly outputs of 11,000 tonnes of spodumene concentrate by late 2025.
Production will scale up through two phases:
- 2025-2028: 125,000 tonnes annually
- 2026-2036: 230,000 tonnes/year with new flotation tech
Most output will feed China’s battery industry via Abidjan port, positioning Mali to become Africa’s second-largest lithium producer after DRC by year’s end (Benchmark Minerals estimates 14% continental share).
Beyond One Mine
Bougouni anchors Mali’s lithium ambitions alongside China-developed Goulamina project. More than just extraction, it represents Bamako’s push for:
✔️ Stronger resource sovereignty
✔️ Better value capture from critical minerals
✔️ Equitable benefit sharing
As global demand for transition metals surges, Mali is quietly building the infrastructure and partnerships to matter in the clean energy supply chain – one carefully structured deal at a time.
Titi KEITA
