Rosatom plans to build lithium mine in Mali for 2028

Rosatom plans to start construction of a mining and processing plant at a lithium deposit in Mali in 2028. Investors from friendly countries are expected to take part in the project. This is reported by the corporate publication “Rosatom Country”.

A feasibility study of the project is planned for 2027, after which it will be possible to build the mine.

Geological exploration of the lithium deposit in Bugul specialists of Uranium Uan Group (part of the Rosatom circuit) began in 2024. During this time, they drilled more than 100 wells and extracted more than 20 km of rock samples, the analysis of which confirmed the potential of the project. Lithium carbonate reserves were estimated at 458,000 tons, which is 1.5 times more than previously expected.

In September 2024, Mali announced plans to jointly mine and process lithium with Russia. Within seven to eight years, the country hoped to reach a level that would allow it to independently create electric batteries.