Mali’s military-led government has created a new ministerial-level position dedicated to overseeing the country’s mining sector, signaling a move to strengthen state control over one of its most vital industries. The decision places mining, particularly gold production, under closer government supervision at a time when the sector plays a crucial role in Mali’s economy and public revenues.
Authorities say the new post is intended to improve regulation, increase transparency, and ensure that the country benefits more directly from its natural resources. Gold mining is Mali’s leading export and a major source of foreign income, making the sector strategically important for the junta as it seeks to stabilize finances amid political and security challenges.
Critics, however, view the move as part of a broader effort by the military government to centralize power and exert greater control over key economic assets. Analysts note that increased state oversight could lead to changes in licensing, taxation, and partnerships with foreign mining companies operating in the country.
The creation of the new ministerial role underscores the junta’s focus on resource governance as it reshapes Mali’s political and economic landscape, with the mining sector expected to remain at the center of policy decisions in the coming months.