MALI’S government has announced it will partially lift a 2022 ban on issuing mining permits, allowing some approvals to resume from March 15, Reuters reported.
The West African nation, one of Africa’s top gold producers, initially froze the allocation of mining titles in November 2022, citing the need to reform its regulatory framework. In 2023, Mali introduced a new mining code designed to boost state revenue by increasing taxes and securing larger government stakes in mining ventures.
According to a statement from Mali’s Ministry of Mines, the suspension will be eased after ‘major work to clean up the mining register.’ The government will now process applications for permit renewals, transitions from exploration to production, and transfers of exploitation rights.
However, the allocation of brand-new mining permits and transfers of exploration rights will remain suspended. The move signals a gradual reopening of Mali’s mining sector while maintaining tighter government oversight.
Mali’s gold sector remains a critical pillar of its economy, with major international mining firms operating in the country. Investors and stakeholders will be closely monitoring the impact of the revised permit system on the industry’s growth and regulatory stability.
