Chinese group Ganfeng Lithium is expanding its presence in West Africa following its majority stake acquisition in Mali’s Goulamina lithium mine. The company has partnered with Lithium Africa Corp — formed after the merger of Lithium Africa Resources and Canada’s Lombard Street Capital — to explore lithium projects in Côte d’Ivoire and Guinea.
The joint venture, a 50-50 collaboration with GFL International, an affiliate of Ganfeng, stems from a 2023 agreement to acquire, explore, and develop lithium projects across Africa. Ganfeng began production at Goulamina in 2024, with exports starting in 2025, while exploration continues in other West African jurisdictions.
In Côte d’Ivoire, Lithium Africa Corp holds four permits covering 1,254 km² in the Adzopé region. Early trenching revealed an eight-meter intersection grading 1.26% lithium, with further drilling planned for 2026. In Guinea, the company controls 376 km² with historical lithium, tantalum, and niobium anomalies, though no significant results have been published yet.
Mali remains a key hub, with the joint venture exploring satellite zones near Goulamina at Tienfagala and Madina. Additional projects are also being pursued in Zimbabwe and Morocco. The merger raised approximately 2.68 million Canadian dollars (~$1.97 million) to fund exploration, particularly at Adzopé.
Ganfeng, integrated across the lithium value chain from mining to EV battery manufacturing, strengthens China’s strategic positioning in Africa’s critical minerals sector. However, turning exploration sites into producing mines will require time, capital, and a conducive business environment.
