Mali is suspending the granting of new artisanal mining permits to foreigners, after a couple of accidents in recent weeks left dozens dead.
The collapse on February 15 of an artisanal gold mine killed 43 people, mostly women, in the gold-rich Kayes region.
On January 29, 13 artisanal miners, including women and three children, were killed in southwest Mali after a tunnel in which they were digging for gold flooded.
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In response to the deaths, Mali’s Council of Ministers decided at its weekly meeting on Wednesday to suspend the granting of artisanal mining permits “to persons of foreign nationality”, a statement said.
It also approved the dismissal of administrative and security officials connected to the two recent accidents, the statement said.
Mali is one of Africa’s top gold producers and home to industrial mines operated by international companies including Barrick Gold (ABX.TO), opens new tab, B2Gold Corp (BTO.TO), opens new tab, Resolute Mining (RSG.AX), opens new tab and Hummingbird Resources Plc .
Reported by Reuters
