Skip Header
Important information: The value of investments can go down as well as up so you may get back less than you invest. Investors should note that the views expressed may no longer be current and may have already been acted upon. This is a third-party news feed and may not reflect Fidelity’s views.

Kodal agrees transfer of Bougouni licence with Mali government

(Sharecast News) - Kodal Minerals announced on Friday that it has reached an agreement with the government of Mali for the transfer of the Bougouni Lithium Project's mining licence to its Malian subsidiary, Les Mines de Lithium de Bougouni (LMLB).

The AIM-traded firm said the project in Southern Mali was fully funded through the $117.5m Hainan transaction, which included a $100m investment in Kodal's UK subsidiary, Kodal Mining UK (KMUK), owned 51% by Hainan Group and 49% by Kodal.

Under a binding memorandum of understanding (MoU), the Bougouni mining licence would now be governed by Mali's 2023 mining code.

The terms specified that the Malian state and private investors would hold a combined 35% equity in LMLB, with KMUK retaining 65%.

It said the licence had an initial 10-year term, with renewal guaranteed under existing mining regulations.

Additionally, the MoU extended customs and duties exemptions for the construction phase, and secured all required operational permits, including export permits for spodumene.

The agreement also included a $15m cash payment to the Malian government, payable in two instalments by KMUK, with the first due on signing and the final by 31 March next year.

Following the transfer, the Bougouni mining licence would be fully compliant with legal requirements, ensuring the project's standing and operational continuity.

"The MoU with the state for the transfer of the Bougouni mining licence is the final legal step required as we rapidly progress the construction of the project, with production on track for the first quarter of 2025," said chief executive officer Bernard Aylward.

"The transfer of the mining licence to the mining company LMLB confirms the good standing of the project and provides certainty of state support and ongoing stability of Bougouni.

"The strong partnership built between Kodal and the state has allowed discussions to be accelerated, culminating with this landmark MoU."

At 1442 GMT, shares in Kodal Minerals were down 5.6% at 0.41p.

Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com.

Share this article

Related Sharecast Articles

Merck to buy US biotech SpringWorks for $3.9bn
(Sharecast News) - German science and technology giant Merck announced on Monday that it is to acquire US biopharmaceutical outfit SpringWorks Therapeutics as it attempts to ramp up growth in the healthcare sector.
Berenberg reiterates 'buy' rating on Yellow Cake
(Sharecast News) - Analysts at Berenberg took a fresh look at uranium projects investor Yellow Cake on Monday following its quarterly net asset value update for the fiscal year-end, in which it revealed it had a period-end NAV of $1.41bn at the end of March.
Lidl unveils £500m plan to expand UK store estate
(Sharecast News) - German owned discount supermarket retail chain Lidl on Monday unveiled plans to invest £500m and open more than 40 new UK stores in the current financial year as it looks to capitalise on government reforms to planning laws.
Entain's BetMGM swings to profit as Q1 revenues rise
(Sharecast News) - Entain reported a jump in revenue at BetMGM and a swing to profit on Monday as momentum from the second half carried into the first quarter.

Important information: This information is not a personal recommendation for any particular investment. If you are unsure about the suitability of an investment you should speak to one of Fidelity’s advisers or an authorised financial adviser of your choice. When you are thinking about investing in shares, it’s generally a good idea to consider holding them alongside other investments in a diversified portfolio of assets. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future returns.

Award-winning online share dealing

Search, compare and select from thousands of shares.

Expert insights into investing your money

Our team of experts explore the world of share dealing.