Atlantic Lithium’s Côte d’Ivoire Discovery Raises Questions on Resource Potential and Next Steps

Discovery and Significance

Atlantic Lithium Limited has revealed a promising new chapter in its African lithium exploration story with the discovery of spodumene pegmatite at its Agboville and Rubino licences in Côte d’Ivoire. These licences, wholly owned through its subsidiary Khaleesi Resources SARL, have yielded rock-chip samples with lithium oxide grades reaching as high as 1.25%, confirming the presence of visually identified spodumene crystals. This discovery marks Atlantic Lithium’s first foray beyond Ghana, where its flagship Ewoyaa Lithium Project is progressing towards production.

Geological Context and Exploration Results

The Agboville and Rubino licences lie within the same broad geological setting as the Ewoyaa project and other known spodumene deposits in Mali, underlain by Birimian-aged metasediments intruded by Eburnean granitic rocks. Geological mapping and reconnaissance sampling have identified spodumene pegmatite both as outcrops and float, with assays supporting significant lithium potential. Notably, the Phase 2 soil sampling at Rubino delineated pronounced lithium-in-soil anomalies spanning a 2.5km by 2.0km area, with lithium concentrations peaking at 806 ppm. These anomalies remain open to the northeast, with Phase 3 soil sampling results awaited.

Strategic Location and Infrastructure

Strategically, the licences benefit from proximity to Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire’s commercial capital and port, located just 80km south of Agboville. The area is well-serviced by paved highways and an operational railway connecting to Burkina Faso, facilitating potential future logistics and export. The region’s tropical weathering environment poses challenges, such as lithium leaching from spodumene, but Atlantic Lithium’s experience at Ewoyaa equips it well to navigate these conditions.

Next Steps and Broader Ambitions

Atlantic Lithium plans to continue its low-cost exploration campaign with further detailed mapping, extended soil sampling, and auger drilling to better define the subsurface extent of lithium mineralisation beneath lateritic cover. These efforts aim to identify targets for reverse circulation and diamond drilling, essential steps towards resource definition. While the company’s primary focus remains on advancing Ewoyaa towards a final investment decision, the Côte d’Ivoire licences represent a strategic diversification and an opportunity to build a multi-jurisdictional spodumene production platform in West Africa.

Industry and Market Implications

This discovery underscores the growing importance of West Africa as a lithium province, complementing established projects in Ghana and Mali. Atlantic Lithium’s ability to leverage its technical expertise across borders could position it as a key player in the continent’s emerging lithium supply chain, critical for global electric vehicle and battery markets. However, the economic viability of these new discoveries will depend on forthcoming drilling results and resource assessments.