Story perspectives

Mali Appoints New Mining Minister Amid Gold Control Shift

1/24/2026

Summary

Story summary

Mali's military government created a ministerial-level post to oversee the mining sector, increasing presidential control of gold.
Hilaire Bebian Diarra, a former Barrick Mining executive, was appointed by a January 19 presidential decree.
He will supervise policy implementation, monitor compliance with the mining code, and review title holders' reports.
The move follows tighter mining controls, and the new code recovered arrears but cut industrial gold output by 23% in 2025.

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Story summary

Mali's military government created a ministerial-level post to oversee the mining sector, increasing presidential control of gold.
Hilaire Bebian Diarra, a former Barrick Mining executive, was appointed by a January 19 presidential decree.
He will supervise policy implementation, monitor compliance with the mining code, and review title holders' reports.
The move follows tighter mining controls, and the new code recovered arrears but cut industrial gold output by 23% in 2025.