Mali Appoints Former Barrick Executive to New Ministerial Role Overseeing Gold Mining Sector
Mali Creates New Ministerial Role to Tighten Presidential Control of Mining Sector
Mali’s military-led government has created a new ministerial-level position to oversee the country’s mining sector, significantly strengthening presidential control over the gold industry, the nation’s most important source of revenue. A former Barrick Mining executive has been appointed to the role.
Legal documents outlining the new position show that the minister will have authority to oversee the implementation of mining policy, monitor compliance with the mining code, and review reports submitted by mining licence holders—responsibilities that were previously handled by the Ministry of Mines.
Under a presidential decree dated 19 January, Hilaire Bebian Diarra, an earth sciences specialist, was appointed to the post. Diarra joined the government last year after leaving Barrick, where he had been involved in negotiations over control of the Loulo-Gounkoto gold complex, Mali’s largest industrial mining operation.
During the protracted dispute between the Malian state and Barrick, Diarra was named special adviser to the presidency as the government of military leader Assimi Goïta pushed for higher taxes and increased state participation in mining projects. The move was widely viewed as a strategic setback for the Canadian miner.
Diarra was not immediately available for comment.
Stronger oversight of mining
Mali is one of Africa’s leading gold producers, and national mining forums in recent years have repeatedly called for stronger institutional structures to oversee security, regulatory compliance, and community impacts within the sector.
A senior government official said the presidency has now assumed the lead role in mining oversight, with key exploitation permits approved directly by the presidential office.
Contract negotiations— including the high-profile dispute with Barrick — are also being handled from the presidency, while the finance ministry oversees fiscal matters and the mines ministry focuses on regulation.
Diarra’s elevation comes as Mali tightens state control over the mining sector under a revised 2023 mining code, which the government says helped recover 761 billion CFA francs (approximately $1.2 billion) in unpaid taxes and fees.
The tougher regulatory framework has unsettled mining companies and contributed to a two-year standoff with Barrick, which weighed heavily on production.
Provisional data from the mines ministry show that industrial gold output fell by 23 percent in 2025, highlighting the economic impact of the dispute.
