Mali processes 21 mining research permits amid gradual administrative resumption

Mali is seeing a gradual resumption of mining permit processing following a multi-year suspension that began in November 2022. During the African Mining Week in Cape Town, Fousseni Togola, president of the Mali Chamber of Mines, announced that 21 mining research permit files were processed between August and September 2026.

The administrative restart follows the adoption of a new mining code in August 2023, intended to restructure the sector and increase national returns. While a partial lifting of restrictions occurred in March 2025, the current progress is largely focused on renewals, transfers, and converting research permits into exploitation permits rather than the issuance of entirely new titles, which remain restricted.

Recent approvals include ten permits for gold and lithium projects finalized in late August, with further approvals granted by the Council of Ministers on September 30, 2026. These permits cover areas in the circles of Kéniéba, Kayes, Kangaba, Sikasso, Yanfolila, and Bougouni, benefiting companies such as the Canadian junior miner Cora Gold.