MALI has suspended artisanal mining permits granted to foreign nationals following two fatal mine collapses that claimed around 60 lives. The directive, issued by President Assimi Goita, was announced on Wednesday by Security and Civil Protection Minister Daoud Aly Mohammedine.
Speaking at a press briefing in Bamako, Mohammedine stated that the government is moving to ‘strengthen measures to prevent human and environmental tragedies’ in the country’s mining sector.
Fatal mine collapses prompt urgent action
The decision follows two major incidents at gold mining sites. The first collapse, on February 15 in western Mali, resulted in approximately 50 deaths, while another on 29 January in the southwest killed around ten people.
The collapses have highlighted growing safety concerns in Mali’s booming artisanal mining sector, which is a key source of income for many but often operates under hazardous conditions.
Officials dismissed amid crackdown
In addition to suspending permits for foreign miners, President Goita has ordered the dismissal of administrative officials deemed responsible for safety lapses that led to the tragedies.
‘The president has decided to revoke the appointment acts of administrative officials directly involved in these incidents,’ Mohammedine confirmed.
With artisanal mining playing a major role in Mali’s gold-dependent economy, the government is now under pressure to improve safety regulations while maintaining the sector’s economic contribution. The suspension is expected to affect numerous foreign miners operating in Mali, particularly those from neighbouring West African countries.
