Mali is creating a specialised mining task force with judicial powers to strengthen oversight of gold mining and quarrying operations across the West African nation.

The Brigade spéciale des mines will conduct inspections and enforcement actions to combat illegal mining while reducing environmental and social impacts, according to minutes from a cabinet meeting on Wednesday .

Despite a reinforced legal framework and ongoing enforcement campaigns since 2020, Mali's mining sector continues to face significant challenges, including illegal mining, clandestine gold panning, illicit mineral trafficking, and the use of banned chemicals causing environmental damage and security risks .

The economic stakes are considerable. While official estimates place Mali's artisanal and small-scale mining output at around six tonnes of gold annually, NGO SWISSAID estimates actual production ranges between 30 and 57 tonnes per year. Between 2012 and 2022, the country likely produced more than 300 tonnes of undeclared artisanal gold worth approximately $13.5 billion that largely escaped public treasury revenues .

Gold remains Mali's most important export, accounting for over 70% of export earnings, contributing 9-10% of GDP, and generating about 25% of state budget revenues.

 The country is Africa's third-largest gold producer, with major industrial operations including B2Gold's Fekola mine and Barrick Gold's Loulo-Gounkoto complex .

Industrial gold production has shown volatility in recent years. Mali recorded approximately 51.7 tonnes of industrial output in 2024, down from 66.5 tonnes in 2023. In 2025, industrial production fell further to 42.2 tonnes, a decline of 22.9%. Including artisanal production, total national output stood at around 48.2 tonnes .

The decline reflects broader challenges in the sector, including regulatory tightening and disputes with international operators. In 2025, B2Gold contributed 17.5 tonnes, Allied Gold 9.58 tonnes, and Barrick Gold 5.5 tonnes, with the latter's reduced output linked to difficulties at the Loulo-Gounkoto complex .

The new brigade joins similar initiatives across West Africa. Ghana intensified its own crackdown in 2025, establishing a task force to enforce reforms introduced by GoldBod, the country's regulator for the artisanal mining sector. That initiative coincided with a 60% increase in Ghana's artisanal gold production during the last fiscal year .

The enforcement push comes amid heightened global demand for gold, with worldwide consumption exceeding 5,000 tonnes in 2025 and prices reaching record levels .

Mali's military government, which seized power in 2020, has placed foreign mining companies under growing pressure as it seeks to shore up revenues . In January, authorities arrested five officials at Komana Mines, a subsidiary of British group Hummingbird which operates the Yanfolila gold mine in southern Mali, accusing the company of failing to transfer gold export proceeds to the state treasury .

In a separate dispute, Mali's government began seizing gold stocks from Canadian miner Barrick Gold in March as part of a legal battle over revenue sharing. Approximately three tonnes of gold, valued at around $180 million, were taken from a mine near Kayes and transported to the capital. In December, Mali issued an arrest warrant for Barrick CEO Mark Bristow on money laundering charges without providing evidence .

Previously, in November, the CEO of Australian company Resolute Mining and two employees were arrested in Bamako, later released after the company paid $80 million to resolve a tax dispute and committed to a further $80 million payment .

The new brigade follows January's creation of a ministerial-level role overseeing the mining sector, strengthening the presidency's direct oversight. Hilaire Bebian Diarra, a former Barrick executive who led negotiations for the company over the Loulo-Gounkoto complex, was appointed to the position .

Under a 2023 mining code, the government recovered 761 billion CFA francs ($1.2 billion) in arrears by December . The tougher code has rattled miners and contributed to tensions with operators .

The Brigade spéciale des mines will serve as the "judicial police of the mining sector" and participate in implementing measures to protect and secure artisanal mining and quarry sites . With judicial authority, the unit will conduct inspections, seize equipment used in illegal operations, and pursue legal action against offenders, whether Malian or foreign .

Authorities have not yet disclosed details regarding the unit's operational structure, organisation or budget .

Illegal mining activities have intensified particularly in the gold-bearing regions of Kayes, Koulikoro and Sikasso, often involving hazardous chemicals such as mercury and cyanide that contaminate water sources and agricultural land .

Illegal mining is estimated to generate at least $48 billion annually in global criminal proceeds, connected to offences including money laundering, corruption, tax evasion and terrorist financing . Illicitly sourced commodities such as gold can be absorbed into legitimate markets, making the sector attractive to organised criminal groups.

The brigade's success will depend on navigating complex socio-economic dynamics. Artisanal mining provides income for thousands across rural communities, and enforcement without alternative livelihoods risks resistance in areas where gold panning serves as an economic safety net .