Mali Tightens Grip on Natural Resources

Mali has cancelled over 90 mining exploration permits, including those held by foreign firms, after operators failed to meet new legal obligations, signalling a strong shift toward resource nationalism and tighter control of the country’s mineral wealth.

Mali’s government has revoked more than 90 mining exploration permits, including those held by several international companies, after operators failed to comply with newly imposed legal and regulatory requirements. Officials said the cancellations, which cover projects in gold, iron ore, uranium, and rare earths, are part of a broader effort to tighten state oversight of the country’s mineral resources and reclaim control of its extractive industries.

The decision, announced by the Ministry of Mines, follows an extensive audit launched earlier this year to verify compliance with exploration deadlines, environmental standards, and financial obligations. Authorities said many permit holders had either failed to begin exploration activities or neglected to submit required progress reports, rendering their licences void under Mali’s revised mining code.

“The state cannot tolerate speculative holding of permits that do not contribute to national development,” said a senior mining official in Bamako. “Our resources must serve Mali’s people, not sit idle in foreign portfolios.”

The revoked licences will be reallocated through a new, more transparent bidding process aimed at attracting investors aligned with national priorities. The government has also pledged to give preference to companies willing to establish local processing facilities and partnerships with Malian firms, in keeping with its drive to capture greater value from the country’s mineral wealth.

Industry analysts say the move reflects a growing wave of resource nationalism across Africa, where governments are seeking to assert greater control over strategic assets amid global demand for critical minerals. Similar actions have recently been observed in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zimbabwe, and Tanzania.

Mali, one of Africa’s top gold producers, has seen its mining sector become a lifeline for public finances amid international sanctions and declining foreign aid following the 2021 military coup. The junta has since strengthened ties with Russia and other non-Western partners, promoting a policy of “economic sovereignty.”

While the government insists the revocations are legal and justified, industry groups warn the abrupt cancellations could unsettle investor confidence and delay exploration timelines. Some affected firms are reportedly considering legal appeals or diplomatic intervention.

For Mali’s leadership, however, the message is clear: control over minerals has become a key expression of national power. As one observer put it, “In the new Africa, sovereignty over resources is the ultimate currency.”