Mali Centralizes Power Over Its Gold Mining Sector

Mali has taken a decisive step toward centralizing authority over its most important economic sector, gold mining, by placing direct oversight under the presidency. This institutional restructuring reflects a broader shift toward state-led resource governance, positioning the executive branch at the center of decision making for mining policy, licensing, and major commercial negotiations. Gold remains Mali’s largest source of export revenue, and the move signals a clear intent by the government to exercise stronger control over how this strategic asset is managed and monetized.

At the core of this reform is the creation of a new ministerial-level position that reports directly to the president of Mali. The new role absorbs key powers that were previously held by the traditional mines ministry, including policy execution, compliance enforcement, and oversight of large-scale mining operations. By relocating these responsibilities to the presidency, the government has effectively elevated mining from a sectoral issue to a top-level state priority, ensuring closer political supervision and faster intervention when disputes or compliance issues arise.

The appointment of Hilaire Bebian Diarra to lead this new structure adds a technocratic dimension to the reform. Diarra brings private-sector experience from his previous role as an executive at Barrick Mining, one of the world’s largest gold producers. He is also familiar with the inner workings of the Malian state, having advised the presidency during negotiations and disputes involving the Loulo-Gounkoto gold complex, a cornerstone of Mali’s industrial gold output. His dual background in corporate mining and state advisory roles suggests a deliberate effort to balance investor know-how with national interests.

Under the new framework, responsibilities across government have been clearly segmented. The presidency now leads strategic oversight, permit approvals, and high-level contract negotiations. The finance ministry retains authority over taxation, royalties, and revenue collection, while the mines ministry is largely confined to technical regulation and sectoral standards. This reallocation of duties is designed to tighten coordination, reduce institutional overlap, and strengthen enforcement of state interests across the mining value chain.

These changes build on Mali’s revised 2023 mining code, which significantly increased state participation and strengthened compliance mechanisms. Authorities report that the tougher legal framework enabled the recovery of 761 billion CFA francs in unpaid taxes, royalties, and other arrears from mining companies. However, the stricter rules have also had short-term economic consequences. Industrial gold production reportedly fell by 23 percent in 2025, reflecting delays in permitting, operational adjustments, and growing caution among international mining firms navigating the new regulatory environment.

Looking ahead, Mali’s centralization of mining power is likely to reshape both investor behavior and regional mining governance norms. For the domestic economy, stronger oversight could translate into higher fiscal revenues, improved transparency, and greater local value capture if effectively implemented. For Africa’s mining industry more broadly, Mali’s approach reinforces a trend toward resource nationalism, signaling to investors that future engagement will require deeper alignment with host-state priorities, stronger compliance discipline, and a willingness to operate within more assertive state-led frameworks.

Mini-Glossary

• Resource governance: The policies and institutions through which a state manages natural resources and their economic benefits.
• Compliance enforcement: Government actions to ensure companies follow laws, regulations, and contractual obligations.
• Mining code: A legal framework that defines the rules, fiscal terms, and ownership structures for mining activities.
• State participation: Direct ownership or financial involvement of the government in mining projects.
• Industrial gold output: Gold produced by large-scale, mechanized mining operations, as opposed to artisanal mining.

Editor: Vural Burç ÇAKIR