By Enyichukwu Enemanna
The junta-led Mali has established a new ministerial-level position, expected to play a supervisory role in the country’s mining sector, a move aimed at tightening the government’s direct grip on the country’s crucial gold industry.
The military government has also appointed a former Barrick Mining executive, Hilaire Bébien Diarra to head the new office.
The Act establishing the position says the minister will have the power to supervise the implementation of mining policy, monitor compliance with the mining code, and review reports submitted by licence holders.
These roles were hitherto performed by the Ministry of Mines.
According to a presidential decree dated 19 January, Diarra, an earth sciences specialist who left Barrick to join the government last year while still leading talks for the company over the Loulo-Gounkoto complex, will assume duty immediately.
Mali is one of Africa’s top gold producers, and several national mining forums in recent years have called for stronger structures to ensure security, compliance with standards, and consideration of community impacts in the sector.
Diarra was appointed special adviser to the presidency during a bitter dispute over the country’s largest industrial gold mine, as Assimi Goïta’s government demanded higher taxes and a bigger state stake in mining projects.
His promotion comes as Mali tightens its control over the mining sector, the country’s main source of revenue, through a 2023 mining code that the government said in December had allowed it to recover 761 billion CFA francs (about $1.2 billion) in arrears.
A senior government official said the presidency has now taken the lead in supervising the mining industry, with major operating permits decided at the presidential level.
The Finance Ministry now oversees tax matters, while the Mines Ministry focuses on regulation.
