Mali suspends artisanal mine permits for foreigners after accidents

Reuters
06 Mar
Mali suspends artisanal mine permits for foreigners after accidents

BAMAKO, March 5 (Reuters) - Mali is suspending the granting of new artisanal mining permits to foreigners, after a couple of accidents in recent weeks left dozens dead.

The collapse on February 15 of an artisanal gold mine killed 43 people, mostly women, in the gold-rich Kayes region.

On January 29, 13 artisanal miners, including women and three children, were killed in southwest Mali after a tunnel in which they were digging for gold flooded.

In response to the deaths, Mali's Council of Ministers decided at its weekly meeting on Wednesday to suspend the granting of artisanal mining permits "to persons of foreign nationality", a statement said.

It also approved the dismissal of administrative and security officials connected to the two recent accidents, the statement said.

Mali is one of Africa's top gold producers and home to industrial mines operated by international companies including Barrick Gold ABX.TO, B2Gold Corp BTO.TO, Resolute Mining RSG.AX and Hummingbird Resources Plc 2HM.F.

After seizing power in 2020 in a military coup, Mali's leaders pledged to scrutinise the country's mining sector so the state would benefit more from gold prices running at all-time highs.

The result was a series of disputes with foreign firms including one with Barrick that remains unresolved.

Mali's industrial gold production plunged 23% year-over-year in 2024.

(Reporting by Tiemoko Diallo; Writing by Robbie Corey-Boulet; Editing by Sandra Maler)

((Robbie.Corey-Boulet@thomsonreuters.com; +221.783835873;))

Disclaimer: Investing carries risk. This is not financial advice. The above content should not be regarded as an offer, recommendation, or solicitation on acquiring or disposing of any financial products, any associated discussions, comments, or posts by author or other users should not be considered as such either. It is solely for general information purpose only, which does not consider your own investment objectives, financial situations or needs. TTM assumes no responsibility or warranty for the accuracy and completeness of the information, investors should do their own research and may seek professional advice before investing.

Most Discussed

  1. 1
     
     
     
     
  2. 2
     
     
     
     
  3. 3
     
     
     
     
  4. 4
     
     
     
     
  5. 5
     
     
     
     
  6. 6
     
     
     
     
  7. 7
     
     
     
     
  8. 8
     
     
     
     
  9. 9
     
     
     
     
  10. 10