Rosatom plans to begin constructing lithium MPP in Mali in 2028 - corporate publication

MOSCOW. Sept 29 (Interfax) - Rosatom plans to move to a feasibility study for the Bugula lithium production project in Mali in 2027, with the start of construction of the mining and processing plant (MPP) scheduled for 2028, the corporate publication Strana Rosatom reported.

Rosatom expects to attract investors from friendly countries, it said.

The state corporation conducted large-scale geological exploration over two years. The results obtained confirm the potential for organizing industrial production of spodumene concentrate - a key raw material in lithium production. Lithium carbonate reserves at the deposit are estimated at 458,000 tonnes, the publication said.

Russia and Mali signed an agreement on cooperation in the use of atomic energy for peaceful purposes in 2025. Prior to that, in 2024, Mali reported plans to begin lithium extraction and processing with Russia.