The Malian transitional government has dismissed several administrative and security officials over the mismanagement of artisanal mining sites, following a rise in fatal accidents.
The decision, announced during the Council of Ministers on March 5, 2025, affects prefects, sub-prefects, police officers, gendarmes, national guards, and officials from the mining and environmental services. Authorities accuse them of negligence that contributed to recent mining tragedies, including a deadly landslide in Bilalkoto on February 15 and another disaster in Kangaba on January 29.
In addition to the dismissals, the government has introduced stricter regulations on illegal mining operations. Equipment seized from unlicensed miners will now become public assets rather than being returned, aiming to curb repeat offenses.
The government has also suspended artisanal mining permits for foreign nationals, particularly in the resource-rich Kéniéba circle, where illegal mining has surged. Furthermore, the Djaba Municipal Council in Kéniéba district is being dissolved for its poor handling of mining activities.
These measures underscore the government’s efforts to tighten control over the sector, improve oversight, and prevent further human and environmental disasters. Transitional President Colonel Assimi Goïta has ordered the strict implementation of these decisions to restore order and safety in Mali’s gold mining industry.
Source: WAVN