Mali’s mining sector, a rich but unexploited potential

Description: http://www.jmpmali.com/html/images/mali.GIF

Gold: Mali: Africa’s third largest gold producer with large scale
exploration ongoing

Mali has been famous for its gold since the days of the great Malian empire
and the pilgrimage to Mecca of the Emperor Kankou Moussa in 1324, on his
caravan he carried more than 8 tonnes of gold! Mali has therefore been
traditionally a mining country for over half a millennium.

Mali currently has seven operating gold mines which include: Kalana and
Morila in Southern Mali, Yatela, Sadiola and Loulo in Western Mali, and
mines which have recently restarted production notably Syama and Tabakoto.
Advanced gold exploration projects include: Kofi, Kodieran, Gounkoto,
Komana, Banankoro, Kobada and Nampala.

Uranium: encouraging signs and exploration in full swing

Exploration is currently being carried out by several companies with clear
indications of deposits of uranium in Mali. Uranium potential is located in
the Falea area which covers 150 km² of the Falea- North Guinea basin, a
Neoproterozoic sedimentary basin marked by significant radiometric
anomalies. Uranium potential in Falea is thought to be 5000 tonnes. The
Kidal Project, in the north eastern part of Mali, with an area of 19,930
km2, the project covers a large crystalline geological province known as
L'Adrar Des Iforas. Uranium potential in the Samit deposit, Gao region alone
is thought to be 200 tonnes.

Diamonds:

Mali has potential to develop its diamond exploration: in the Kayes
administrative region (Mining region 1), thirty (30) kimberlitic pipes have
been discovered of which eight are show traces of diamonds. Some eight small
diamonds have been picked in the Sikasso administrative region (southern
Mali). 

Precious stones consist of the following and can be found in:

Circle of Nioro and Bafoulabe: Garnets and rare magnetic minerals
Circle of Bougouni and Faleme Basin: Pegmatite minerals
Le Gourma – garnet and corindons
L’Adrar des Ilforas – pegmatite and metamorphosing minerals
Hombori Douentza Zone: quartz and carbonates

Iron Ore, Bauxite and Manganese: significant resources present in Mali but
still unexploited

Mali has according to estimates more than 2 million tonnes of potential iron
ore reserves located in the areas of Djidian-Kenieba, Diamou and Bale.

Bauxite reserves are thought to be 1.2 million tonnes located in Kita,
Kenieba and Bafing- Makana. Traces of manganese have been found in Bafing –
Makana, Tondibi and Tassiga. 

Other mineral resources and potential in Mali

*       Calcarous rock deposits: 10 million tonnes est. ( Gangotery), 30
million tonnes est. ( Astro) and Bah El Heri ( Nord de Goundam) 2.2 Million
tonnes est.
*       Copper: potentialities in Bafing Makan ( Western Region) and
Ouatagouna ( Northern Region)
*       Marble : Selinkegny ( Bafoulabe) 10.6 MT estimated reserves and
traces at Madibaya
*       Gypsum: Taoudenit ( 35 MT est.), Indice Kereit ( Nord de Tessalit)
0.37 MT est.
*       Kaolin: Potential estimated reserves ( 1MT) located in Gao (
Northern Region)
*       Phosphate: Reserve located at Tamaguilelt, production of 18,000
t/per annum and an estimated potential of 12 million tonnes. There are four
other potential deposits in the North of 10 million tonnes.
*       Lead and zinc: Tessalit in the Northern Region ( 1.7 MT of estimated
reserves) and traces in Bafing Makana ( Western Region) and Fafa (Northern
Mali)
*       Lithium: Indications in Kayes ( Western Region) and estimated
potential of 4 million tonnes in Bougouni ( Southern Region)
Bitumen schist: Potential estimated at 870 million tonnes, indications found
in Agamor and Almoustrat in the Northern Region.
*       Lignite: Potential estimated at 1.3 million tonnes, indications
found in Bourem ( Northern Region)
*       Rock Salt: Estimated potential of 53 million tonnes in Taoudenni (
Northern Region)
*       Diatomite: Estimated potential of 65 million tonnes in Douna Behri (
Northern Region)

Mali’s Petroleum potential already attracting significant interest from
investors

Mali’s Petroleums potential has been documented since the 1970’s where
sporadic seismic and drilling revealed probable indications of oil. With the
increasing price of global oil and gas resources, Mali has stepped up its
promotion and research for oil exploration, production and potential
exports. Mali could also provide a strategic transport route for Sub-Saharan
oil and gas exports through to the Western world and there is the
possibility of connecting the Taoudeni basin to European market through
Algeria. 

Work has already begun to reinterpret previously gathered geophysical and
geological data collected, focussing on five sedimentary basins in the North
of country including: Taoudeni, Tamesna, Ilumenden, Ditch Nara and Gao

In July 2008, the Malian government amended the petroleum exploration law,
increasing the period of exploration from 10 to 12 years. The new law is
aimed to increase the attractiveness of petroleum exploration,
transportation and refining in Mali.

The Authority for the Promotion of Oil Exploration (AUREP) is the Malian
government body responsible for ensuring that companies comply with the
commitments that were made through the various conventions.

Interest in Mali’s oil and gas blocks has been very fervent, with at this
time of writing 15 blocks out the 29 on offer have already been attributed.

Ministry of Mines, Energy and Water, Mali

 <http://www.mines.gouv.ml/> http://www.mines.gouv.ml/

DNGM

 <http://dngm.org/> http://dngm.org

Authority for the Advancement of Oil Exploration (AUREP)

 <http://www.aurep.org/aurepfr/> http://www.aurep.org/aurepfr/

Official site of Malian Presidency

 <http://www.koulouba.pr.ml> www.koulouba.pr.ml

 

 

           Thé Mulindwas Communication Group
"With Yoweri Museveni and Dr. Kiiza Besigye Uganda is in anarchy"
           Kuungana Mulindwa Mawasiliano Kikundi
"Pamoja na Yoweri Museveni na Dk. Kiiza Besigye Uganda ni katika machafuko"

 

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