Bamako, Mali
Mali’s transitional president, Assimi Goïta, officially opened the country’s second major lithium mine in the Bougouni region in the south of the country, a $65 million project operated by a joint venture between the Malian government and the British company, Kodal Minerals, with additional Chinese investment.
The inauguration has been described as a significant step in Mali’s efforts to assert control over its mineral wealth and bolster its economy, even as the country faces ongoing security challenges and international scrutiny.
The Bougouni lithium mine, managed by Les Mines de Lithium de Bougouni SA (LMLB SA), complements the Goulamina mine, which began operations late last year. According to local reports, the new facility is expected to produce up to 400,000 tons of lithium concentrate annually, positioning Mali as a key player in the global supply chain for electric vehicle batteries.
The project reflects a strategic shift under Goïta’s leadership, with the government holding a 35% stake, a move enabled by a revised mining code aimed at increasing national revenue and local development. The ceremony in Bougouni drew a large crowd, including military personnel, local workers, and traditional dancers.
Supporters of the government say the president’s visit to the site of the mine seems to dispel growing claims that Jihadists have occupied these territories and may be encircling the capital. They say the president’ decision to embark on other official functions outside Bamako, such as the launch of mining operations, contrasts sharply with recent Western media narratives suggesting that the al-Qaeda-linked group Jama’at Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin (JNIM) has encircled the capital, Bamako, and threatens to overthrow the government.
Some media platforms reported that JNIM has intensified attacks and disrupted fuel supplies by blocking key routes, raising concerns about the capital’s security. However, the Bougouni event, held over 150 kilometers south of Bamako, proceeded without incident, challenging claims of imminent collapse.
Mali’s lithium ambitions are part of a wider regional strategy within the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), which seeks to reduce dependence on foreign powers and enhance economic sovereignty through joint resource management. The Bougouni project, with its focus on local job creation, expected to employ hundreds in the region, illustrates this vision, government sources say.
The security situation in Mali remains complex. Recent disruptions to fuel tankers have clearly exacerbated shortages in Bamako. Still, the successful inauguration suggests that southern Mali, including Bougouni, remains under government control. Goïta has overseen a shift away from traditional Western allies like France towards partnerships with Russia in managing security.
His promotion to general in October 2024 and the dissolution of political parties in May 2025 have drawn criticism for authoritarianism. In spite of this, the lithium project highlights his administration’s focus on economic diversification beyond gold, Mali’s traditional economic mainstay.
The Bougouni mine’s economic impact is already taking shape. Some analyses estimate that it will generate significant tax revenue and create jobs, boosting household incomes in a region that has seen limited development.
The project also involves a partnership model that balances foreign investment with local ownership, a departure from past arrangements that often favoured international firms. This approach has been praised as a model for resource-rich African states seeking to maximize benefits from their natural assets.
Internationally, the event has sparked debate. While some view it as evidence of Mali’s resilience, others see it as a propaganda effort to mask deeper instability. Some reports claim that JNIM’s expansion into coastal West Africa, including Benin and Nigeria, complicates the security landscape, potentially undermining such economic gains.
Nevertheless, the inauguration underscores Mali’s determination to press ahead with its development agenda, supported by its AES allies. The lithium sector’s growth comes at a critical time for Mali, as it navigates internal conflict and geopolitical realignment.
With the global demand for lithium rising due to the shift towards renewable energy, the country’s new mine could play a pivotal role in its future prosperity. Observers will watch closely to see if economic progress can outpace the security threats that continue to challenge the country.
