“This figure far exceeds Mali’s official annual output of roughly 57 tonnes”

“Gold is by far Mali’s largest export, accounting for nearly 80 percent of total exports and generating about $4.3bn in 2024”

“after gold, Mali’s biggest exports include raw cotton, refined petroleum, oily seeds and iron ore.”

“Mali’s mining sector has historically been dominated by foreign mining companies, particularly Canadian and Australian firms, with Chinese involvement on the rise.”

“In 2023, Mali’s military transition government – which came to power in a coup in August 2020 – introduced a new mining code allowing the state to take up to a 35 percent stake in mining operations.”

“Canadian mining company Barrick Gold is one of the biggest operators in Mali, producing gold at its Loulo-Gounkoto complex in the west of the country since 2005.”

“Other major mines include Fekola, Syama and Sadiola Hill.”

“The Goulamina project is Mali’s largest lithium deposit.”

“It is majority-owned by China’s Ganfeng Lithium, with a significant stake held by Australia’s Leo Lithium, while the Malian state holds a smaller minority share.”

“The project contains tens of millions of tonnes of lithium-bearing ore.”

“Mali also has significant deposits of lithium, uranium, phosphates, iron ore, manganese and diamonds.”

“The Goulamina project in southern Mali is estimated to contain more than 200 million tonnes of lithium-bearing resources”

“Uranium exploration has focused on the Kidal and Falea regions, while diamond deposits have been identified along parts of the Niger River basin.”

“According to the National Directorate for Geology and Mines, as of 2022, it was estimated that Mali had: 2,000 tonnes of gold deposits, 40 million tonnes of limestone, 10 billion tonnes of shale, 2 billion tonnes of iron ore, 11 thousand tonnes of uranium, 10 million tonnes of manganese, 5.8 billion tonnes of lithium, 1.2 billion tonnes of bauxite, 2.4 million carats of diamond, 53 million tonnes of rock salt, 60 million tonnes of marble.”