Kodal Minerals jumps by a quarter as lithium mining licence comes a step closer 12.56pm: Miner sees feasibility study accepted Kodal Minerals PLC (LON:KOD) has jumped by nearly a quarter after developments regarding its Bougouni lithium project in southern Mali. The mineral exploration and development company said the project had moved a step closer after the Direction Nationale de la Geologie et des Mines wrote to accept the feasibility study for its mining licence application. Kodal now has to pay the £135,000 application fee, which it plans to do promptly. Chief executive Bernard Aylward said: "Our Mining Licence application is progressing through the final regulatory stages and the receipt of this letter confirming the Feasibility Study for the development of the Bougouni Lithium Project and the request to pay the Mining Licence application fee is a very positive development and brings us significantly closer to a fully permitted project." Kodal has climbed 23.97% to 0.3p. 11.27am: Mortgage lender in demand Paragon Banking Group PLC ( LON:PAG ) is one of the day''s big risers.