Mali has withdrawn more than 90 mining exploration permits, including those linked to foreign companies, according to the Ministry of Mines. The cancellations affect subsidiaries of several well-known firms such as IAMGOLD, Harmony Gold, Cora Gold, Birimian Gold, and Resolute Mining, the ministry said in a statement released on Wednesday.
Officials explained that the decision was made because many permit holders failed to comply with newly introduced legal requirements. Due to the lack of the required documentation, the affected exploration zones will now be made available for new allocations. “Holders were notified to present the necessary paperwork under the updated mining regulations, but authorities discovered widespread failure to meet the obligations,” the ministry noted.
The order, signed by Mines Minister Amadou Keita on October 13, applies to permits granted between 2015 and 2022. These permits covered exploration for gold, bauxite, iron ore, uranium, rare earth minerals, and other valuable resources essential to Mali’s economy and export income.
Across Africa, countries such as Guinea have been tightening mining rules and reclaiming inactive or non-compliant licenses in order to regain control over key mineral assets. Cora Gold responded by stating that it voluntarily surrendered the affected permits over two years ago and therefore expects no impact on its operations.
Meanwhile, companies like Harmony Gold and IAMGOLD have yet to issue comments, raising questions about whether they will challenge the cancellations. Mali’s mining industry has already been facing disruptions due to insecurity and shifting regulations, and the country’s industrial gold output is projected to fall short of the 2025 target.
The military-led government has recently intensified partnerships with Russia, signing mining and energy agreements aimed at easing fuel shortages and supporting major resource projects.
Some of these collaborations include joint ventures in uranium, lithium, and gold, as well as plans for a government-controlled gold refinery in Bamako. Analysts caution that the abrupt cancellation of permits could discourage foreign investment and significantly redefine Mali’s mining landscape.
