As a core project of Hainan Mining responding to the national new energy strategy and deploying global critical minerals, the Bougouni Lithium Mine in Mali has been successfully commissioned. The first batch of 30,000 tons of lithium concentrate has arrived at Yangpu Port in Hainan, marking the official launch of the integrated new energy industrial chain.

The rapid commissioning of the Bougouni Lithium Mine owes to the efficient progress of the project team and the technical support of expatriate employees from Shilu Iron Ore Mine. Traveling thousands of miles from Hainan to Mali, they closely cooperated with local employees to advance project construction. Let’s step into the work and life of three key expatriates, listen to their true stories of rooting in a foreign land and overcoming difficulties, and feel the perseverance and endeavor of Hainan Mining people.

The Bougouni Lithium Mine Project in Mali, Africa

Model Worker Passes on Skills to Fulfill Original Aspiration, Empowering Local Talent for Integration

Li Yong, Team Leader

At 56, Li Yong is a National Model Worker with over 30 years of mining experience. As one of the first key volunteers for expatriation, he went to Mali from December 2024 to April 2025 with solid skills and a pragmatic work style to rapidly support project construction.

Upon arriving in the foreign land, harsh natural conditions posed great challenges: year-round intense heat and sunlight leading to extremely high outdoor working temperatures; dense mosquitoes making malaria prevention crucial. He also felt unwell initially, but the company had fully prepared protective supplies in advance. In terms of diet, restricted by local material shortages and long-distance transportation, fresh fruits and vegetables were scarce at first, differing greatly from Chinese eating habits, requiring an adaptation period.

As a team leader and technical mentor, Li Yong mainly taught local employees welding, cutting and equipment operation. Despite language barriers and weak professional foundations among local staff, he remained patient and shared practical experience wholeheartedly.

"We communicated with gestures due to language differences, and I provided tireless hands-on guidance," Li Yong said. During his support, he tutored more than 10 local employees, many of whom have mastered core skills to meet project demands. "As expatriates, we must not only deliver the project well but also leave valuable technologies behind, practicing the philosophy of teaching people to fish."

Li Yong (center) with his African apprentice

Speaking of his proudest achievement, it was the urgent renovation of the ore hopper bin, which failed to meet size standards and required immediate expansion to ensure production. "Leaders set a 5-day deadline, which seemed extremely difficult at first. Later, 4 Chinese employees plus 10 local colleagues worked under 40℃ heat during the day and overtime at night, finally completing the project successfully."

Efficient China-Africa cooperation has laid a solid foundation for stable and full production of the project.

Sticking to Frontline to Safeguard Equipment, Grateful to Overcome Challenges

Lin Weihua, Mechanic

Up to now, Lin Weihua has stayed in Mali for 15 months. As a senior mechanic, he is responsible for maintenance of various project equipment and vehicles, and has tutored 3 local employees, serving as a tough defender of stable equipment operation.

Recalling initial living conditions, he admitted there were many inconveniences: "Limited local material supply, fresh ingredients and tastes far different from China, plus strong homesickness, all requiring gradual adaptation."

To address these issues, the company immediately implemented comprehensive support and consolidated health and safety defenses. More warmly, the project department organizes group dinners on important Chinese and Malian festivals, allowing everyone to communicate closely, easing homesickness for Chinese employees and narrowing gaps between Chinese and local colleagues, adding warmth to cross-cultural collaboration.

With tight work rhythm, high-intensity equipment operation, urgent heavy maintenance tasks and scarce local equipment spare parts, Lin faced great work difficulties. By tutoring apprentices and optimizing maintenance solutions tailored to local conditions, he fully ensured equipment operation and overcame numerous challenges. "As a senior Hainan Mining employee, I want to contribute to the company’s overseas development."

Talking about the project team, Lin expressed deep gratitude: "The company always stands with us. Especially project leaders eat, live and fight alongside us, taking the lead in frontline work without special privileges. They constantly care about our living safety and solve many life problems for us."

Employees on assignment in Mali at the Bougouni lithium ore processing plant; Lin Weihua is second from the left

Deeply Rooted on Site to Refine Expertise, Ensuring Stable Production to Fulfill Commitment

Ji Xue, Mineral Processing Engineer

Arriving in Mali in June 2024, Ji Xue has stayed for 20 months, mainly in charge of concentrator production and operation, serving as a core technical backbone for project trial production and commissioning.

Upon arriving, he not only adapted to harsh local climate but also experienced periodic regional security fluctuations. "From June to September 2024, regional security was unstable. Under embassy guidance and company arrangements, we took a short rest in Bamako. Although the security situation in Mali remains severe, the company has fully consolidated safety defenses: coordinating Malian government troops for patrol, heightening enclosing walls, building safe houses and installing full-coverage monitoring and alarm systems. Now the camp is relatively safe and stable, allowing us to work at ease," Ji Xue said.

Ji Xue (right) explains the key features of mineral processing equipment to local employees

With upgraded logistics support, employees’ living conditions have improved greatly. The project department also overcame local infrastructure difficulties to build full-coverage wireless network, smooth communication channels with families. Ji Xue admitted: "I make video calls every day. My family understands and supports my work, keeping our marital relationship harmonious."

Family support allows him to focus wholeheartedly on work. Facing weak professional foundations of local employees and difficult training for the DMS dense medium separation system, he adhered to one-on-one patient tutoring and repeated practical operations to help local staff work proficiently. He will never forget February 9, 2025, when the project achieved successful trial production. He issued the startup order personally. Watching qualified lithium concentrate output, all Chinese and Malian employees cheered together, rewarding all perseverance.

Up to now, 26 employees from Shilu Branch have been expatriated to Mali successively, and the above three are representatives of these strivers. From initial acclimatization problems to stable rooting today, expatriates have confronted challenges including harsh climate, dietary differences and security fluctuations in Mali, always adhering to the spirit of overcoming difficulties, pursuing excellence and shouldering responsibilities to fulfill duties. They are not only pioneers driving project commissioning but also warm bridges for China-Africa technology exchange and cultural integration.

Behind this perseverance lies Hainan Mining’s people-oriented philosophy. From safety protection, health guarantee and logistics improvement to family communication support, the company comprehensively solves employees’ difficulties with practical measures, consolidating strong backing and bringing warmth to overseas staff.

Group photo of Chinese and African employees at the Bougouni lithium mine