MALI’S military government says it has signed a significant agreement with Russia to construct a gold refinery in the capital city of Bamako, solidifying ties between the two nations amid Russia’s growing interest in extending its influence in the region.
Minister Alousséni Sanou disclosed in a state television interview earlier this week that the accord, a non-binding memorandum of understanding, outlines plans for a substantial 200-tonnes-per-year refinery, marking a pivotal move in their bilateral relationship.
Sanou clarified that the memorandum spans four
years, yet no definitive timeline for construction was provided. If realised, the refinery would stand as Mali’s largest gold refinery, symbolising a significant stride in the nation’s gold production control and taxation protocols.
‘This will allow us not only to control all gold production but also to be able to correctly apply all taxes and duties,’ remarked Sanou, underscoring the prospective benefits of the collaboration.
The agreement is emblematic of Russia’s burgeoning interests in Mali, a key player in Africa’s gold production landscape, coinciding with a decline in Western influence within the region.
Further solidifying ties, Russia’s state nuclear energy company Rosatom previously inked a deal with Mali in October, focusing on mineral exploration and nuclear energy production. In tandem, Sanou confirmed another signed agreement with a Russian entity for the establishment of a 200- to 300-megawatt solar power plant slated for mid-2025.
Mali’s military leadership, established following a 2021 coup, notably expelled French troops engaged in combat against Islamist militants last year. Concurrently, they allied with the Russian military contractor Wagner Group, which operates extensively across Africa, engaging in lucrative mining ventures.
However, Wagner’s involvement in Mali’s fight against Islamist groups linked to al Qaeda and Islamic State has raised concerns regarding human rights abuses.
Notably, M
ali’s industrial gold production in the previous year amounted to 66.2 tonnes, primarily derived from mines under the ownership of prominent entities such as Barrick Gold, B2Gold, Resolute Mining, Allied Gold, and Endeavour Mining.
