Mali’s mines ministry has announced the suspension of all artisanal gold mining activities during the June to September rainy season in a move to protect miners from deadly landslides.
According to the ministry, meteorological services have forecast heavy rainfall between June 15 and September 30, raising the risk of accidents in mining areas.
The temporary ban follows the government’s earlier decision in March to halt the issuance of new artisanal mining permits to foreign nationals, after a series of fatal incidents claimed dozens of lives.
Artisanal mining, a widespread practice across the subregion, has surged in recent years driven by high global demand and soaring gold prices. However, the sector remains largely unregulated, with miners often relying on outdated and unsafe methods.
Last year, Mali — Africa’s second-largest gold producer — saw its total gold output drop by 23%, reaching about 57 metric tonnes. Approximately 6 tonnes were attributed to artisanal mining.
