Mali Suspends Foreign Artisanal Gold Mining  

(3 Minutes Read)

Artisanal gold mining is estimated to produce around 30 tons of gold a year and represents 6% of Mali’s annual gold production. The Council of Ministers’ statement said measures would be taken to facilitate the recovery of equipment used in gold panning and its addition to the national patrimony.

Mali said it was suspending licenses for foreign artisanal gold mining companies after a series of fatal accidents in the West African country, one of Africa’s top three gold producers.

Gen. Assimi Goita, president of Mali’s transitional government, ordered the suspension of artisanal mining permits granted to foreigners, according to a statement issued following a Council of Ministers meeting which was read out on the national television station ORTM. This was reported by www.trendsnafrica.com.

Artisanal gold mining is estimated to produce around 30 tons of gold a year and represents 6% of Mali’s annual gold production. The Council of Ministers’ statement said measures would be taken to facilitate the recovery of equipment used in gold panning and its addition to the national patrimony.

This is a major change, as previously, mining companies could recover their equipment after paying a fine to the country’s authorities. “These measures are designed to further strengthen the state authorities and protect our fellow citizens.

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In recent years, there have been concerns that profits from unregulated mining in northern Mali could benefit extremists active in that part of the country. More than 2 million people, or more than 10% of Mali’s population, depend on the mining sector for income, according to the U.S.