Madar (Bamako) - Mali has recovered 761 billion CFA francs in arrears from mining companies following an audit, Mines Minister Amadou Keita said on Thursday, 22 October 2026 at his first press briefing on mining governance, the official Malian news agency AMAP reported.
The minister said more than 90 exploration permits were cancelled in October 2025 because the required documents had not been submitted, and three mining permits were withdrawn for lack of work, non-payment and breaches of the mining code, with the holders keeping their right of appeal. Between 21 August and 30 September 2026, the Council of Ministers approved the renewal of 24 gold and lithium exploration permits; a renewed exploration permit does not allow mining, he said.
"A mining title is not an asset to be left dormant. It is a commitment to work, to invest and to pay what is owed," the minister said.
Industrial gold output reached 42.2 tonnes in 2025, down 22.9% from 54.8 tonnes in 2024, mainly because production at the Loulo-Gounkoto complex fell from 22.5 to 5.5 tonnes. Gold exports nevertheless reached 2,750 billion CFA francs in 2025, against 1,610 billion a year earlier, and mining companies paid 940 billion CFA francs to the state on gold production.
In the first half of 2026, industrial gold output recovered to 23.5 tonnes, against about 18 tonnes a year earlier, with an annual target of 43.2 tonnes. In lithium, the Bougouni mine produced 53,195 tonnes of spodumene concentrate between January and June 2026, while Goulamina has been exporting since June 2025.
The minister recalled that the 2023 mining code and local-content law allow Malian interests to hold up to 35% of project capital. He announced continued checks on illegal mining, notably by the special mines brigade set up in March 2026, and quarterly press briefings, the next one due in January 2027.
