Kodal Minerals PLC (AIM:KOD) told investors it has successfully produced its first spodumene concentrate at the Bougouni Lithium Project in southern Mali.
The milestone was achieved during the commissioning of the Dense Media Separation (DMS) processing plant.
The first batch of spodumene concentrate was recorded at 5.53% lithium oxide (Li₂O), in line with the planned production profile.
"The first production of spodumene concentrate at Bougouni marks a major milestone for Kodal and I would like to thank our entire team for this achievement, which wholly reflects the dedication and effort of all those involved,” chief executive Bernard Aylward said in a statement.
“We are confident that this progress will continue into the commercial production phase and our project team will continue to work towards our 10,000 tonnes per month target at Bougouni.”
Open-pit mining at the Ngoualana deposit has built a 350,000-tonne ore stockpile with an average grade of 1.17% Li₂O.
Mining and processing operations at Bougouni have now commenced on a 24/7 basis.
The company expects to ramp up the DMS processing plant to nameplate capacity in the coming weeks.
Aylward added: "The operational focus over the coming weeks will be the finalisation of commissioning and stress testing of the DMS processing plant as we ramp up to achieve nameplate capacity and steady-state production.
“We look forward to confirming our first shipment of lithium spodumene concentrate to Hainan in China by the end of this quarter."