Africa-Press. The President of Mali’s Military Council has created a new ministerial post to oversee the mining sector, thereby strengthening the presidency’s direct oversight of the vital gold industry, and has appointed a former executive from the mining company “Barrick” as CEO to fill the position.
Official documents indicate that the minister will have the authority to oversee the implementation of mining policy, monitor compliance with mining law, and review reports submitted by rights holders – responsibilities previously handled by the Ministry of Mines.
According to a presidential decree issued on January 19, Hilaire Bibian Diarra was appointed to the post. He came from Barrick and had joined the government last year while leading negotiations on behalf of the company regarding control of the Loulo-Gounkoto complex.
Diarra had been appointed as a special advisor to the presidency during the dispute over Mali’s largest industrial gold mine, where President Assimi Goïta’s government sought to impose higher taxes and greater state participation in mining projects. The move was widely seen as a strategic blow to the Canadian mining company. Diarra was not immediately available for comment.
A senior government official stated that the presidency is taking the lead in overseeing mining, with decisions regarding presidential exploitation permits made by the presidency, and contract negotiations – including the Barrick dispute – managed from the presidential palace. The Ministry of Finance now handles financial matters, while the Ministry of Mines focuses on regulation.
Data from the Ministry of Mines showed that the law had raised concerns among miners and led to a two-year confrontation with Barrick, resulting in a 23% decline in industrial gold production in 2025.
