Kodal Minerals PLC (AIM:KOD) has denied reports suggesting that exports from its flagship lithium project in southern Mali are being blocked, saying discussions with the country’s government over finalising the necessary permits remain on track.
The London-listed miner said it expected to receive the export permit for spodumene concentrate, a lithium-rich material used in batteries, “in the near future” and would make a further announcement once it had been granted.
Media speculation had suggested that the Malian authorities were preventing the company from shipping product from its Bougouni project.
Kodal said this was incorrect and stressed that it continued to enjoy a constructive relationship with the government, which it described as supportive of the development of the mine.
The company has stockpiled more than 27,000 tonnes of spodumene concentrate ready for export and said it was in the interests of both parties to begin shipments as soon as possible.
Operations at Bougouni are proceeding as normal, with the company reporting that the ramp-up to full capacity at the processing plant is progressing as planned.
Kodal’s chief executive, Bernard Aylward, is currently in Mali and visiting the site to oversee mining, processing, and exploration activities.
The miner said it would provide further updates as it reached key milestones. It has operated in Mali for more than a decade and is developing Bougouni as part of a strategy to supply the fast-growing battery materials sector.