Mali has taken a major step in its economic sovereignty strategy. General Assimi Goïta , President of the Transition, officially inaugurated the country's second lithium mine , located in Bougouni, on Monday, November 3, 2025. This project, operated by Les Mines de Lithium de Bougouni SA (LMLB SA), is a cornerstone of the national vision for the transformation of mineral resources.

💰 A Strategic Partnership and a Massive Investment

The Bougouni mine is the result of structured international and national collaboration:

1. Foreign Partners: Kodal Mining UK Ltd and Hainan Mining Co. Ltd (a subsidiary of the Chinese Fosun Group).
2. Malian Participation: The Malian state and local investors together hold 35% of the company's capital .

This project aligns with the long-term vision "Mali Kura Ɲɛtaasira ka bɛn san 2063 ma" aimed at sustainable and inclusive growth. Mr. Teng David Lei, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Kodal Mining UK and Managing Director of Hainan Mining, welcomed this "community of vision" that unites Mali, China, and the United Kingdom.

The initial investment in the mine amounts to $65 million (approximately 36 billion FCFA).

📈 Production Objectives and Economic Impact

The new mine will propel Mali onto the African mineral stage:

Indicator	Detail
Annual Production (Phase 1)	Approximately 120,000 tonnes of spodumene concentrate.
African Ranking	With the addition of Bougouni to the production of the Goulamina mine, Mali is expected to be the leading African producer of lithium in 2026, with an estimated production of 590,000 tonnes .
Local Jobs	500 jobs already created, and 800 expected for the second phase of the project.
Local Contribution	More than 24 billion FCFA have already been injected into the national economy through the purchase of local goods and services.

The mine will contribute significantly to public finances through taxes, duties, dividends and participation in four mining funds, including those dedicated to local development and energy and water infrastructure.

🇲🇱 Economic Sovereignty and Mining Reforms

The Minister of Mines stressed that this inauguration, the third visit of the Head of State to the region in less than a year, is a strong symbol of development-oriented leadership .

He also recalled the sweeping reform of the mining sector which, as a pillar of economic sovereignty, recently led to the cancellation of 121 mining permits . This measure aims to "clean up the sector," guarantee the protection of the environment and workers' rights, and ensure the effective implementation of local content requirements .

For Mr. N'Togo DIAKITE, village chief of Bougouni, the importance of the project goes beyond the economic aspect: it brings jobs and infrastructure, but above all the "pride of being at the heart of the new Mali" .