Latest news with #Aylward
TimesLIVE
19-05-2025
- Business
- TimesLIVE
Kodal expects Mali permit soon to export 27,000 tons of stockpiled lithium
Kodal Minerals expects to receive an export permit soon for 27,000 metric tons of lithium concentrate stockpiled at its Bougouni project in Mali, it said on Monday, having previously reported export delays because of regulatory hurdles. The delays have come against a backdrop of declines in global lithium production - potentially by 228,000 tons this year - as miners curtail operations in the face of falling prices for the metal used in electric vehicle batteries. "Discussions with the government of Mali on finalising the export permit for spodumene concentrate produced at Bougouni are continuing as planned and it is expected the permit will be received in the near future," Kodal said, adding that the company has a positive relationship with the Mali government. Chief executive Bernard Aylward is in the West African country reviewing operations, which the company says continue normally. Kodal, which launched production in February, has agreed to sell its entire output to China's Hainan Mining, Aylward has told Reuters.
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Kodal Minerals faces regulatory hurdles in Mali, halting lithium concentrate exports
Kodal Minerals, a British mining company, is unable to export more than 20,000 tonnes (t) of lithium concentrate from its Bougouni lithium project in southern Mali due to regulatory challenges, disclosed CEO Bernard Aylward to Reuters. This situation arises amidst a global decline in lithium production, which is set to fall by approximately 228,000t this year, partly due to plummeting metal prices. The delay is attributed to Malian officials examining a pricing mechanism to ensure the spodumene concentrate from the company's Bougouni project is sold at current market rates. In February 2025, Kodal Minerals produced the first lithium oxide spodumene concentrate at its Bougouni project. The company has a standing agreement to sell its entire output to Hainan Mining of China. Aylward said: "We are spending money to produce a product that we want to sell… Our buyer actually wants to buy it, [but] we can't export." Representatives from Mali's mining and trade ministries did not reply to Reuters' requests for comment. Aylward revealed that the company has been negotiating for final approvals since the previous year and is close to finalising its export permit, hoping to dispatch its first shipment by mid-June. Mali, traditionally known for gold production, is now focusing on exploiting its considerable lithium reserves. The country's military government is taking firmer control of the mining sector to increase revenue, which has included arresting foreign executives and seizing gold stocks during negotiations with multinational gold mining companies. Aylward added: "Other operations in Mali are also having delays in the export permits. It is not restricted to the Kodal team." "Kodal Minerals faces regulatory hurdles in Mali, halting lithium concentrate exports" was originally created and published by Mining Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
TimesLIVE
16-05-2025
- Business
- TimesLIVE
Kodal says Mali lithium exports blocked due to permit delays
Regulatory hurdles in Mali have left British miner Kodal Minerals unable to export more than 20,000 metric tons of lithium concentrate, its chief executive Bernard Aylward told Reuters. Kodal's blocked shipments come as global lithium production is already expected to drop this year — potentially by 228,000 tons — as miners curtail operations due to plummeting prices for the metal, used in electric vehicle batteries. Kodal, which launched production in February, has agreed to sell its entire output to China's Hainan Mining, Aylward said. "We're spending money to produce a product that we want to sell ... Our buyer actually wants to buy it, we can't export," he said. Spokespeople for Mali's mining and trade ministries did not respond to requests for comment.
Reuters
15-05-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Kodal says Mali lithium exports blocked due to permit delays
DAKAR, May 15 (Reuters) - Regulatory hurdles in Mali have left British miner Kodal Minerals (KOD.L), opens new tab unable to export more than 20,000 metric tons of lithium concentrate, its chief executive Bernard Aylward told Reuters. Kodal's blocked shipments come as global lithium production is already expected to drop this year - potentially by 228,000 tons - as miners curtail operations due to plummeting prices for the metal, used in electric vehicle batteries. Kodal, which launched production in February, has agreed to sell its entire output to China's Hainan Mining ( opens new tab, Aylward said. "We're spending money to produce a product that we want to sell ... Our buyer actually wants to buy it, [but] we can't export," he said. Spokespeople for Mali's mining and trade ministries did not respond to requests for comment. Long a major gold producer, the West African nation is seeking to develop its significant lithium reserves at a time when its military government is also asserting more control over the mining sector in a bid to generate more revenues. Malian authorities have arrested foreign executives and seized gold stocks as they negotiate with multinational gold miners. In Kodal's case, Aylward said officials have been scrutinising a pricing mechanism to ensure the spodumene concentrate produced at the firm's Bougouni project is sold at prevailing market rates. He said the company has been locked in negotiations for final approvals since last year and is now finalising its export permit in the hopes of sending its first shipment in mid-June. "Other operations in Mali are also having delays in the export permits. It is not restricted to the Kodal team," he added. China's Ganfeng Lithium ( opens new tab, which operates Mali's only other lithium mine, did not respond to a request for comment.
IOL News
09-05-2025
- Health
- IOL News
Child protection organisation cautions against public exposure of child victims with some masked as advocacy
Child Protection Organisation (CPO), CMR North, has sounded the alarm regarding a disturbing trend in the public exposure of child abuse victims. The organisation highlights that not every platform is a safe space for children to unpack their trauma, as increasing instances of digital and media disclosures jeopardise the emotional wellbeing of vulnerable individuals. CMR North's General Manager, Dr Ronel Aylward, expressed profound concern about the growing number of individuals and entities utilising media platforms to advocate for child protection cases. While intentions may claim to be rooted in awareness and advocacy, the organisation said that the impact on the child can be profoundly damaging. "We understand the growing public interest in child protection. But not every forum is a safe one for a child's trauma to be unpacked,' Aylward explained. 'We urge all institutions that claim to act on behalf of children to consider the long-term psychological consequences of public exposure. The child's best interest must remain paramount, not the adult's reputation or agenda.' The organisation also cites extensive research revealing that even when a child's name is withheld, exposure to their trauma can lead to re-traumatisation, withdrawal, shame, anxiety, and disrupted emotional development. 'Research confirms that even when a child's name is withheld, repeated exposure to their trauma story can retraumatise them, leading to withdrawal, shame, anxiety, and disrupted emotional development. The National Child Traumatic Stress Network has found that children involved in publicised abuse cases face a higher risk of PTSD, social isolation, and long-term mental health challenges. UNICEF further warns that such exposure can derail a child's recovery. especially when they are still navigating the legal and emotional complexities of their abuse. Children deserve privacy, dignity, and safety, not a public stage.' The CPO also emphasises the legal framework provided by the Children's Act 38 of 2005 that mandates adults to report reasonable suspicions of child danger. This legal imperative empowers designated Child Protection Organisations to act swiftly, even before all details are known, ensuring that children's safety remains the foremost priority throughout legal proceedings. When asked about distinguishing between aiding and harming through social media, the CPO stated, 'The difference lies in intent versus impact. While many people believe they are raising awareness, the unintended impact is often harm, especially when children's stories are shared without full context or consent. True advocacy protects the vulnerable; it does not expose them. If a post identifies a child, implies their story, or invites public speculation, it risks harming the very child it claims to support. Ethical advocacy amplifies the issue, not the individual. When in doubt, ask: Is this in the child's best interest, or is it serving an adult's need to be seen, heard, or vindicated?' Saturday Star
