MALI’S industrial gold production suffered a sharp decline of 23 percent in 2024, dropping to 51 metric tons from 66.5 tons the previous year, according to a report by the country’s mines ministry, as cited by Reuters. This marks the first time in over three years that Mali’s gold output has fallen below 60 tons, raising … Read more
JUNTA-led allies Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have announced that their Confederation of Sahel States (AES) passports will be available from January 29, 2025, marking their official departure from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Trojaninsights reports that the announcement was made by Malian junta chief and current AES president, General Assimi … Read more
MALI’S military-led government has seized approximately three metric tons of gold worth $245 million from Barrick Gold’s Loulo-Gounkoto mine, escalating tensions between the mining giant and authorities. The gold is now being held at the state-owned Banque Malienne de Solidarité (BMS), according to sources cited by Reuters. The dispute mirrors a growing trend across West Africa, where military-led … Read more
Mali’s government has begun enforcing a provisional order to seize gold stock at Barrick Gold’s Loulo-Gounkoto mine, escalating a standoff over mining revenues. The Canadian mining giant warned in a note to its Malian staff that it may be forced to suspend operations if the issue remains unresolved. According to Reuters, this latest move signals … Read more
IN a stark move highlighting increasing repression in the Sahel, a Malian court has sentenced politician Issa Kaou N’Djim to two years in prison, with one year suspended, for criticising Burkina Faso’s military junta. The verdict underscores the tightening grip of military-led governments across the region. Criticism leads to conviction N’Djim, a former supporter turned critic of … Read more
THE authority of ECOWAS heads of state and government on Sunday set Jan. 29, 2025 to July 29, 2025 as a transitional period to keep ECOWAS doors open to Burkina Faso, Republic of Mali and the Republic of Niger. Dr Omar Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, said this while reading the Communique at … Read more
MALI’S military-led government has escalated its dispute with foreign mining companies, issuing an arrest warrant for Mark Bristow, Chief Executive of Barrick Gold Corporation. The charges include money laundering, underscoring growing tensions over mining revenues in the gold-rich nation. Abbas Coulibaly, general manager of Barrick’s Loulo-Gounkoto complex, is also targeted by the warrant, sources revealed. … Read more
MALI’S junta has arrested four employees of Canadian mining giant Barrick Gold, marking the latest in a series of detentions of foreign mining workers amid escalating tensions between the government and international mining companies. Barrick Gold confirmed the arrests on Tuesday, stating that the workers had been charged and were being held pending trial, but the company firmly disputes … Read more
MALI’S ruling junta has appointed its spokesperson, Abdoulaye Maiga, as the new prime minister, replacing Choguel Maiga, who was dismissed following his criticism of the military government. The announcement, made on Thursday via state broadcaster ORTM, underscores growing divisions within the administration as frustrations mount over postponed elections and delayed democratic transition. Choguel Maiga, a civilian leader appointed prime … Read more
Mali’s Prime Minister Choguel Maiga has been fired, state television ORTM said on Wednesday of the civilian who criticized the ruling junta’s failure to organize elections within a promised 24-month transition back to democracy. The military rulers, who seized power in successive coups in 2020 and 2021, had promised to hold elections in February but … Read more