The Malian Government has suspended new artisanal mining permits for foreigners following deadly accidents, dismissing multiple officials linked to the incidents. Enhanced safety measures and prohibitions on local councils issuing licenses aim to prevent further tragedies. Mali continues to negotiate with foreign companies while facing challenges in its gold production sector.
Following a series of deadly incidents, the Malian Government has suspended the issuance of new artisanal mining permits to foreign nationals. This decision, announced during a Council of Ministers meeting, is a direct response to accidents that have resulted in multiple casualties, including a mine collapse that killed 43 individuals on February 15 and a flooded tunnel incident that claimed 13 lives on January 29.
In light of these tragedies, Interim President Assimi Goita has instructed officials to enhance safety measures to prevent further human and environmental disasters. Minister of Security and Civil Protection, General Daoud Aly Mohamedinne, stated that local councils are now prohibited from granting artisanal mining licenses to foreigners. Additionally, the government will confiscate machinery utilized in gold extraction at small-scale mines.
Mali, a prominent gold-producing nation, is home to operations from various international companies, including Barrick Gold and B2Gold. Since a military coup in 2020, the leadership has focused on amending the mining sector to ensure that more state benefits are obtained from the country’s gold industry, leading to ongoing conflicts with foreign firms, notably Barrick Gold. However, a new agreement reached recently may resolve the two-year dispute over mining operations in Mali.
Furthermore, Mali is projected to receive CFA Fr750bn ($1.2bn) from mining companies in the initial quarter of 2025 as part of mining sector reforms, including the introduction of a new mining code. Nevertheless, the country’s industrial gold production experienced a 23% decline year-over-year in 2024, highlighting significant challenges in the industry. CEOS of mining companies have commented that these regulatory changes will require them to adapt their strategies for future investments in Mali’s gold sector.
In summary, the Malian Government’s suspension of new artisanal mining permits for foreigners aims to address the recent deadly accidents within the sector. Alongside increased safety measures, this decision reflects the government’s commitment to revising the mining industry for heightened state benefits. Despite ongoing negotiations with foreign companies and significant production challenges, Mali continues to seek reforms that will stabilize and benefit its mining sector for the future.
Original Source: www.mining-technology.com
