BAMAKO — Mali’s military-led government has created a new ministerial-level post under the presidency to tighten oversight of the country’s gold industry, appointing former Barrick Mining executive Hilaire Bébien Diarra to the role in a decree dated January 19.
Legal texts establishing the position indicate the new minister will supervise the implementation of mining policy, monitor compliance with Mali’s mining code and review reports submitted by licence holders—functions previously associated with the Ministry of Mines. The change further centralises decision-making in a sector that is Mali’s main source of export revenue and a key focus of the junta’s economic agenda.
Diarra, an earth sciences specialist, joined the government last year after leaving Barrick while he was still involved in talks over the Loulo-Gounkoto complex—one of Mali’s largest industrial gold operations. His earlier move from the company to the presidency, where he became a special adviser during negotiations, was widely viewed in mining circles as a strategic setback for the Canadian miner.
The restructuring comes as Mali continues to enforce a tougher mining regime introduced in 2023, designed to raise state revenues and increase national participation in projects. Reuters previously reported that the code allows the government to increase its ownership of concessions and pursue what it describes as lost revenues; UNCTAD notes the framework provides for a 10% state stake in projects, with an option to acquire an additional 20% early in commercial production, alongside other changes to fiscal terms.
Industry uncertainty has grown alongside the reforms. Provisional figures cited by Reuters show Mali’s industrial gold output fell about 22.9% in 2025, a decline linked in part to the prolonged suspension of Barrick’s operations amid the dispute over the new rules. A senior government official told Reuters that, under the new architecture, the presidency will lead on supervision and major operating permits, with tax matters handled by the finance ministry and regulatory functions remaining with the mines ministry.
Mali’s government has argued the tougher framework has already yielded results, saying it has recovered hundreds of billions of CFA francs in arrears since adopting the new code. Diarra was not immediately available for comment, according to Reuters reporting.
