Mali Tightens Control Over Gold Mining Sector as Presidency Takes Direct Oversight

Mali’s military government has moved to tighten its grip over one of the country’s most strategic industries, placing the gold mining sector directly under presidential authority.

President Assimi Goita has created a new ministerial level position to oversee mining policy, compliance, and implementation, transferring key responsibilities away from the traditional mines ministry and into the presidency itself. The role will supervise the application of mining laws, review reports from mining title holders, and monitor compliance across the sector.

The newly created position has been filled by Hilaire Bebian Diarra, an earth science specialist and former Barrick Mining executive. Diarra previously joined the government after leading negotiations between Mali and Barrick over control of the Loulo Gounkoto gold complex, the country’s largest industrial mine.

Legal documents indicate that major decisions on exploitation permits and contract negotiations will now be handled from the presidential palace, while the finance ministry manages fiscal matters and the mines ministry focuses on regulation.

Mali is one of Africa’s largest gold producers, and gold remains its biggest source of revenue. The restructuring follows years of debate over how the sector should be governed, with national mining forums calling for stronger oversight on security, compliance, and community impact.

The changes are also tied to Mali’s 2023 mining code, which increased taxes and expanded state participation in mining projects. The government says the new framework helped recover 761 billion CFA francs in unpaid revenues. However, tougher rules have unsettled mining companies and contributed to a two year standoff with Barrick.

Provisional data from the mines ministry shows industrial gold output fell by 23 percent in 2025, reflecting the tension between state control and private investment.

For the Malian authorities, the new structure represents an effort to assert sovereignty over natural resources and centralize strategic decision making. For investors, it signals a more state driven mining environment, where political authority plays a decisive role in shaping the future of the sector.

The Voice of Africa’s insight
Mali, like much of Africa, is still defining how best to manage its wealth in a global system built long before its independence. Centralizing control may bring short term stability or new risks, but the deeper story is about a young continent still learning how to protect its resources while building institutions strong enough to serve its people. The challenge is not whether Africa will control its future, but how wisely and inclusively that control will be exercised.