DAKAR, Aug 18 – Mali’s industrial gold production rose about 30% in the first half of 2026, exceeding government expectations and putting the West African producer on course to meet or potentially surpass its full-year target.
Industrial mines produced 23.5 metric tons of gold between January and June, compared with about 18 tons during the same period in 2025, according to data from Mali’s mines ministry. The figure was also above the government’s forecast of 21.2 tons for the first half.
The ministry’s production data did not provide an explanation for the stronger-than-expected performance, and Mali’s mines ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The rebound comes after a difficult year for Mali’s mining industry, as tensions between the government and mining companies weighed on production. Industrial gold output fell to 42.2 tons in 2025, down from a record 66.5 tons in 2023.
Mali has been tightening state oversight of its mining industry as authorities seek to increase government revenues and capture a larger share of the value generated by the country’s natural resources. The reforms have created tensions with some international mining companies and contributed to uncertainty around production.
The latest figures, however, indicate that the country’s industrial mining sector is recovering. Based on first-half output, Mali is broadly on track to achieve its full-year industrial production forecast of 43.2 tons.
B2Gold’s Fekola mine remained the country’s largest industrial producer during the first six months of the year, generating 8.85 tons of gold. Barrick’s Loulo operation followed with 6.9 tons, already exceeding the 5.5 tons the mine produced during the whole of 2025.
Resolute Mining produced 3.0 tons during the period, while Allied Mining contributed 3.5 tons, according to the ministry data.
Mali is also expanding its pipeline of gold projects. The Council of Ministers recently granted B2Gold a large-scale mining permit for its Menankoto project, clearing a regulatory hurdle for the development of a new mine.
B2Gold expects Menankoto to produce more than 150,000 ounces of gold annually from 2028. Toubani Resources’ Kobada project is another significant development in the pipeline, with planned annual production of about 162,000 ounces and first gold targeted for 2027.
The stronger first-half performance and development of new projects could reinforce Mali’s position as one of Africa’s major gold producers. However, the outlook will continue to depend on the relationship between the government and mining companies as authorities pursue greater state participation and revenue from the sector.
