Pure-play lithium explorer Leo Lithium has awarded a $348m contract to Corica Mining Services’ subsidiary Corica Mali to provide mining services at the Goulamina lithium project in Mali.
The contract covers pre-production activities at the project for a period of six months followed by a fixed five-year term.
Under the agreement, Corica will provide grade control, drill and blast, load and haul, and plant ore feed services.
The planned material movement by Corica Mali is expected to be between 18 million to 20 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) over the contract term.
Corica is currently undertaking pre-strip and direct shipped ore (DSO) mining and crushing services at the site.
Leo Lithium managing director Simon Hay said: “We are delighted to appoint Corica as our mining services contractor following an intensive tender process. Corica has a long history and strong presence in Mali and will bring substantial local employment and supplier opportunities to the region.
“With the mining contractor now in place, Leo Lithium has taken another major step towards realising its target of first spodumene concentrate production in H1 2024. We look forward to working with Corica over the long term, commencing with DSO activities this quarter.”
Located approximately 150km south of Bamako, the 100km² Goulamina Lithium Project is planned to start production in the first quarter of next year.
Last year, Leo Lithium selected Lycopodium Minerals for engineering and procurement and associated project management services for the Goulamina project stage one.
