Focus on Africa

Mali settles gold mine dispute

Nov 26, 2025
Beverly Ochiang, a security and media analyst, discusses the Malian government’s recent settlement with Barrick Gold, emphasizing the economic implications and local infrastructure development. Ataleh Ayele, a seismologist, analyzes the unexpected volcanic eruption in Ethiopia's Afar region, highlighting the lack of monitoring and potential health impacts. Lastly, Jonah Ratsibazafi, a primatologist, sheds light on Madagascar's lemur conservation challenges, linking hunting pressures to urban demand and expressing hope for conservation progress through ecotourism.
Ask episode
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
INSIGHT

Mining Code Boosts Mali's Revenue

  • Mali's new 2023 mining code raises the state's stake and removes tax breaks to boost revenue.
  • Aligning the sector could add about $190m a year and shift local value toward Malian firms.
ANECDOTE

Heated Standoff Led To Arrests And Seizures

  • Mali imposed provisional administration, issued arrest warrants and even seized a ton of gold during the dispute with Barrick.
  • Four Barrick employees were detained in Bamako Central Prison amid legal battles and an ICSD claim.
INSIGHT

Leadership Change Eased Negotiations

  • A change in Barrick's leadership helped lower tensions and enabled a settlement.
  • Both parties agreed to drop legal cases and move the operation toward the 2023 code, though back taxes remain unclear.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Get the app