Private Cote d’Ivoire contractor Corica Mining Services has been confirmed as the long-term primary mining contractor at Leo Lithium and Ganfeng’s US$255 million Goulamina lithium project in Mali after completing early works at the site.
ASX-listed Leo said Corica beat other groups in “an intensive tender process” to clinch a US$348 million, five-year surface mining contract at Goulamina.
Corica has been mobilising people and equipment to meet mine operator Leo’s planned material movement target of 18-to-20 million tonnes per annum.
The contractor, established in 2002, provided “large-scale mining services” to ASX and TSX listed mining companies at seven sites in Mali, Cote d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso, Leo said.
“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,” managing director Simon Hay said.
“We look forward to working with Corica over the long term, commencing with DSO [direct shipping ore] activities this quarter.”
