ANTANANARIVO, Feb 3 – Madagascar has lifted a 16 year moratorium on issuing new mining permits for most minerals, reopening a licensing system that has been frozen since 2010 while keeping restrictions on gold in place due to regulatory gaps.
The decision, announced late Thursday, ends a suspension introduced to review mining governance and the legal framework with authorities saying the move is meant to restore certainty for operators and investors in a sector that underpins export earnings and foreign investment.
Mining remains a core pillar of the economy, with nickel, cobalt, graphite, and ilmenite among the country’s main exports. The Ambatovy nickel cobalt project continues to dominate the industry, accounting for a large share of export revenue and serving as the country’s most visible mining asset.
Mining permits are an essential working tool that allows operators to function legally, Mines Minister Carl Andriamparany said at a press briefing. He said lifting the suspension was necessary to unblock activity and attract capital after years of delays.
As of 2023, about 1,650 applications for mining permits were pending with the administration, according to Madagascar’s latest Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative report published at the end of 2025. The backlog reflects the scale of pent up demand created by the long freeze.
However, the government kept the ban on gold permits, citing large gaps between official output and widespread artisanal activity. Official data show that just over 13 kilograms of gold were declared last year, a volume authorities described as negligible given mining intensity nationwide.
In response, officials acknowledged limits in their ability to regulate the sector and enforce monitoring standards. They said reforms are needed before reopening gold licensing, to improve oversight, capture production, and reduce leakages.
The partial reopening signals a cautious reset of mining policy, balancing investor access with tighter control where risks remain elevated.
