Kodal Minerals Halts Lithium Exports in Mali Due to Regulatory Block
TLDR
- Kodal Minerals has suspended operations at its newly launched lithium mine in Mali, citing regulatory obstacles preventing the export of its first shipments
- The British miner had begun production in February at its Bougouni project, the country’s second lithium mine
- The delay affects an exclusive sales agreement with Kodal’s strategic partner, Chinese firm Hainan Mining
Kodal Minerals has suspended operations at its newly launched lithium mine in Mali, citing regulatory obstacles preventing the export of its first shipments. The British miner had begun production in February at its Bougouni project, the country’s second lithium mine, but is now unable to move forward with deliveries.
CEO Bernard Aylward told Reuters the company is unable to export nearly 20,000 tonnes of spodumene due to unresolved regulatory constraints. “Our customer is ready to buy it, but we cannot export it,” he said.
The delay affects an exclusive sales agreement with Kodal’s strategic partner, Chinese firm Hainan Mining. The suspension underscores the risks facing foreign operators in Mali’s emerging lithium industry, where the legal and export frameworks remain under development.
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Key Takeaways
The shutdown of Kodal Minerals' Bougouni lithium mine highlights the regulatory uncertainty that continues to challenge Mali’s ambitions to become a key player in the global lithium supply chain. Despite rising investor interest, including Chinese group Ganfeng Lithium’s inauguration of the country’s first mine in December 2024, export and licensing frameworks remain a bottleneck. Kodal’s production halt comes just months after operations began, leaving 20,000 tonnes of lithium-rich ore stockpiled and undelivered. The company’s inability to fulfill its contract with Hainan Mining illustrates how regulatory gaps can delay project monetization and strain international partnerships. As Mali seeks to assert greater control over its mining sector while attracting foreign capital, balancing sovereignty and investment incentives will be key. Until legal structures catch up, risks like the one faced by Kodal may deter or delay additional lithium investments, even as global demand for the metal continues to grow.
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