Mali has taken another decisive step toward asserting greater control over its lucrative gold industry, appointing a new ministerial-level supervisor to oversee the mining sector.
The move, announced under the leadership of President Assimi Goïta, signals a consolidation of state authority over one of the country’s most important sources of revenue.
The newly created role places direct oversight of mining activities under the presidency, effectively strengthening government influence across the sector. Hilaire Bebian Diarra, an earth-science specialist and former Barrick Gold executive, has been named to the position.
His appointment is particularly symbolic, coming after years of tension between Mali and the Canadian mining giant over taxation, ownership, and operational control.
Don’t Miss This: Alero Mobola Adollo Appointed Independent Non-Executive Director at First Asset Management
Relations between Mali and Barrick deteriorated sharply after the government seized three metric tons of gold worth about $400 million in early 2025, citing judicial authority.
The action forced Barrick to suspend operations temporarily and intensified an already fraught dispute over alleged unpaid taxes.
While Mali claimed nearly $500 million in arrears, Barrick maintained it had complied with local laws and had made significant payments to the state.
A settlement eventually eased the standoff. Barrick agreed to pay roughly $430 million, withdrew its international arbitration cases, and saw detained employees released, while Mali dropped charges and lifted provisional control of the mining complex.
Operations at Barrick’s flagship Loulo-Gounkoto mine later resumed, marking a fragile reset in relations.
Diarra’s elevation now places a former insider at the center of Mali’s mining oversight, aligning with the government’s broader push under its 2023 mining legislation to increase state participation and boost fiscal returns.
Authorities say the reforms have already helped recover more than 761 billion CFA francs in backlog revenues.
