Lithium found at depth in Côte d'Ivoire

Switch Metals, a British company, has confirmed the presence of lithium at depth on its Issia project in southwest Côte d'Ivoire. Initial drilling results at the Kabore prospect showed a 14-meter section with 1.02% lithium oxide, including 7 meters with 1.75% lithium oxide. A second mineralized section was found about 200 meters away.

Surface discovery precedes drilling

The lithium findings follow the discovery of spodumene, a lithium-rich mineral, on the surface in early 2026. However, only four of the thirty drillings conducted at Kabore have been analyzed so far, leaving much of the data pending.

Two work areas identified at Issia

In its first-half 2026 results published in September, Switch Metals outlined two work areas at the Issia project. One focuses on assessing surface deposits for coltan, a mineral containing tantalum and niobium. The other involves exploring deeper rock formations for tantalum and lithium.

Tantalum remains the company’s priority

Tantalum, used in electronic components and industrial alloys, is currently Switch Metals' main commercial focus. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported that the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda produced about 68% of the world’s tantalum in 2025. The company aims to provide a traceable Ivorian source of the metal, using methods that may require less investment than hard rock mining.

Lithium exploration expands to Tiassalé

Lithium represents an additional opportunity for Switch Metals. Beyond the Issia project, the company is exploring lithium at the Tiassalé project in southeast Côte d'Ivoire. In October, it identified seven exploration targets at Tiassalé, which will need further work before possible drilling. The International Energy Agency forecasts global lithium demand to more than triple by 2040.

Company’s broader exploration strategy

Switch Metals holds rights to 3,169 km² across three projects in Côte d'Ivoire and is not limited to a single activity. The company’s CEO, Karl Akueson, stated that applying a systematic exploration process will help confirm and prioritize drilling targets in the short term, providing a clearer picture of the projects' potential.

Next steps include pending analysis

At Issia, the next step is the publication of analysis results from 27 remaining drillings (including 26 at Kabore) by the end of 2026. These results will guide the company in determining the next steps for the project. No lithium mineral resources have yet been officially established at Issia.