On 16 June 2025, Mali's president, Assimi Goïta, laid the foundation for a future many thought impossible: a national gold refinery, owned and operated by Mali, in the Sénou neighbourhood of the capital Bamako. This facility, which is majority owned by the Malian government in partnership with a Russian company, represents a milestone in Mali's quest for greater control over its mineral resources.

In 2023, Mali adopted a new mining code that increased the country's maximal share over its gold mines from 15 to 35%, a bold move that rattled multinational giants. It also included new tax regulations for foreign companies, which has led to conflicts with Anglo-Australian company Resolute Mining and Canadian firm Barrick Gold.

Mali is part of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) confederation along with Burkina Faso and Niger. Burkina Faso recently nationalised two gold mines and revoked three mining permits, while Niger nationalised two of its major uranium mines in 2024.

Sources

https://www.maliweb.net/economie/mines-dor-societes/lancement-des-travaux-de-construction-de-la-raffinerie-dor-du-mali-3106185.html

https://www.aa.com.tr/fr/afrique/mali-pose-de-la-premi%C3%A8re-pierre-de-lusine-de-la-premi%C3%A8re-raffinerie-nationale-d-or/3600911

https://www.agenceecofin.com/or/0409-121244-le-mali-obtient-l-application-du-nouveau-code-minier-a-une-mine-en-production

https://www.ft.com/content/a92e089f-beb4-4677-9537-f564bff06715

https://www.reuters.com/markets/commodities/mali-has-shut-barrick-golds-office-bamako-over-alleged-non-payment-taxes-sources-2025-04-15/

https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/burkina-faso-completes-nationalisation-five-gold-mining-assets-2025-06-12/

https://www.neimagazine.com/news/niger-seizes-control-of-somair-uranium-mine/

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/6/21/niger-revokes-french-nuclear-groups-licence-at-major-uranium-mine