BAMAKO (CONVERSEER) – Mali has launched construction of a large-scale gold refinery, SOROMA-SA, in partnership with Russian conglomerate Yadran, marking a significant step in the country’s efforts to boost domestic processing of its mineral wealth.
President Assimi Goïta laid the foundation stone of the facility near Bamako Airport. The refinery, which spans 5 hectares, is projected to process up to 200 tonnes of gold annually—quadrupling Mali’s current output of around 50 tonnes. The project aligns with Mali’s new Mining Code, which mandates local processing of extracted minerals.
The refinery will be majority-owned by the Malian state (62%), with Yadran holding a 38% stake. With a share capital of 600 million CFA francs, the project is scheduled for completion by December 2026.
Officials are under pressure to deliver on time and to international standards, particularly to secure LBMA certification, essential for accessing global markets.
The SOROMA-SA refinery forms part of a broader Mali-Russia partnership, which includes future projects in cotton processing and petroleum supply infrastructure.
Malian authorities say the initiative will add significant value to gold exports, create jobs, and enhance the country’s mining autonomy.
This development comes amid a broader regional push—mirrored in Burkina Faso, Niger, and Guinea—to capture more value from local mining sectors and reduce dependency on foreign refineries.