Mali has canceled more than 90 mining exploration permits, including those held by international firms’ subsidiaries, the mines ministry said. Affected companies include local arms of Harmony Gold, IAMGOLD, Cora Gold, Birimian Gold, and Resolute Mining, the ministry confirmed in a statement Wednesday.
Authorities said permit holders failed to meet new legal requirements, prompting revocations that leave the mining areas open for reallocation. “Permit holders were asked to submit required documents under new mining rules, but authorities found widespread non-compliance,” the ministry added.
The decree, signed by Mines Minister Amadou Keita on October 13, covers permits issued between 2015 and 2022 for multiple minerals. These include gold, iron ore, bauxite, uranium, rare earths, and other strategic resources, critical to Mali’s revenue and export earnings.
Some African nations, including Guinea, have similarly tightened mining regulations, canceling dormant or non-compliant permits to reclaim strategic assets. Cora Gold said it had relinquished the affected permits over two years ago and noted the cancellation had no operational impact.
Other companies, including Harmony Gold and IAMGOLD, did not immediately respond to requests for comment, leaving uncertainty over potential appeals. Mali’s mining sector has faced disruptions from insecurity and regulatory changes, with industrial gold output expected to miss 2025 targets.
The military-led government has strengthened ties with Russia, signing energy and mining deals to alleviate fuel blockades and support strategic projects. Earlier Russian-backed initiatives include joint ventures in gold, uranium, and lithium, along with a state-controlled gold refinery in Bamako. Analysts warn that the sudden permit cancellations could deter foreign investment and reshape the landscape of Mali’s mining industry.