Mali establishes School of Mines and Petroleum to train specialists

The Malian Council of Ministers, chaired by Assimi Goïta, has adopted texts regarding the creation, organization, and operation of the École des Mines et du Pétrole (School of Mines and Petroleum). The institution is designed to provide both initial and continuous professional training to address a shortage of qualified personnel in the country’s strategic mining and petroleum sectors.

This initiative aligns with Mali’s broader policy of economic sovereignty and the recent efforts to reclaim control over its natural resources. The government previously launched an audit of the mining sector in early 2023, which led to a new mining code allowing the state to hold up to 30% in new projects and the removal of certain tax exemptions.

Alongside the new school, the government is establishing the Agency for Research and Development of Mineral Resources. This agency will be responsible for producing and securing knowledge regarding the nation's geological, mineral, petroleum, and gas resources. Specific details regarding the school's location, budget, and opening timeline have not yet been disclosed.