Ministry of Mines officials dismantle illegal mining sites in Mali’s Yanfolila district, arresting 28 foreign nationals and seizing equipment. Pic: Maliweb
The targeted locations were illegally operating within areas officially assigned to Global Drilling and Blasting Services Mali (GDBS Mali) and Avion Mali West Exploration under valid exploration permits.
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Arrest of 28 Illegal Gold Miners Follows large-scale Crackdown on Illegal Mineral Exploration Activities in Yanfolila
The mission aimed to enforce compliance with national mining regulations, particularly Article 62 of Mali’s Mining Code, which prohibits mineral exploitation without proper authorization.
The operation resulted in the seizure of significant machinery and transport assets, including 28 excavators, six vehicles, a tanker, a grader, and additional tools used in unauthorized gold extraction.
Ministry officials reported that the illegal operations caused considerable environmental damage. At the GDBS Mali site, over 240,000 square meters of land were degraded, while an estimated 70,000 square meters were affected at the Avion Mali West Exploration zone.
These activities have raised alarm among local residents, who have increasingly complained about land loss, water pollution, and declining agricultural productivity.
Mining code violations result in environmental and economic harm
In addition to environmental degradation, the Ministry highlighted substantial economic losses suffered by legal operators.
Officials noted that illegal mining directly disrupted licensed exploration work, threatening investment and operational continuity for companies operating under government-issued permits.
“This operation marks a critical step in restoring lawful control over our mineral resources,” said one official involved in the crackdown.
Residents in affected communities have echoed the urgency, demanding stronger enforcement and continued surveillance to prevent further infiltration by illegal miners.
Legal action follows Yanfolila enforcement mission
Legal proceedings have been initiated against those arrested. The Ministry of Mines reaffirmed that the exploitation of Mali’s natural resources must adhere strictly to the legal framework.
In a formal statement, it thanked cooperating local authorities and reiterated its commitment to safeguarding national interests through decisive regulatory action.
Representatives of both affected companies welcomed the intervention, citing prolonged disruptions and loss of access to their concessions. “Our operations were constantly hindered,” a spokesperson stated, “and this enforcement effort is essential to preserving the integrity of our activities.”
Government signals long-term strategy for gold sector reform
This latest crackdown is part of the nation’s government wider strategy to formalize and regulate Mali’s lucrative gold industry. Authorities are also advancing plans to process more gold domestically, including the construction of a new refinery aimed at boosting state revenue and reducing raw exports.
Earlier this year, officials announced the sale of one ton of gold from the Loulo-Gounkoto mine to stabilize operations, part of a broader effort to reassert economic sovereignty and control over gold production.
The move followed long-standing concerns over the unregulated mining sector’s impact on state income and environmental sustainability.
