Deadly Risks in Mali’s Foreign Gold Mining Crisis Exposed

Mali Suspends Foreign Gold Mining After Deadly Accidents

By Darius Spearman (africanelements)

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The Suspension Shakes Mali’s Mining Landscape

Mali’s transitional government halted foreign artisanal gold mining permits in March 2025 after deadly collapses in Koulikoro and Kayes triggered public outrage. President Assimi Goita ordered immediate suspension of all permits held by international firms aiming to “restore order” in the chaotic sector. Artisanal mines produce 6% of Mali’s annual gold output — contributing roughly 30 tons of the nation’s 300-ton haul (ABC News).

Critically the crackdown marks a shift from fines to direct asset seizure. Equipment from foreign operators now integrates into state heritage — a move signaling heightened control over resources. Authorities accuse foreign firms of bypassing safety protocols while unregulated miners flock to hazardous informal pits for survival. This instability reportedly fuels extremist groups in northern regions struggling with governance vacuums.

Artisanal Mining’s Human Toll Exposed

Informal pits like those in Kayes operate without structural supports or toxic chemical protections. A January 2025 collapse buried miners under 20 meters of earth — one of many preventable tragedies driving the suspension. These sites rely on mercury to extract gold which contaminates water and causes neurological damage over time (PMC).

Ironically the crackdown risks worsening poverty for over 2 million Malians tied to artisanal work. Most are subsistence farmers supplementing income during dry seasons — a lifeline now severed. Meanwhile large firms like Canada’s Barrick Gold continue industrial extraction under stricter oversight. This imbalance fuels tensions between displaced locals and foreign corporations.

Gold’s Economic Stranglehold on Mali

Gold exports accounted for 80% of Mali’s $6.2 billion in foreign revenue during 2021 — a dependency making regulatory shifts politically volatile. Artisanal mining injects cash into remote villages but rarely contributes formal taxes. Still the state earns $900 million annually from industrial operators like Barrick whose Loulo-Gounkoto complex produces 21 tons/year (Mining.com).

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Darius Spearman is a professor of Black Studies at San Diego City College, where he has been teaching since 2007. He is the author of several books, including Between The Color Lines: A History of African Americans on the California Frontier Through 1890. You can visit Darius online at africanelements.org.