Mali Gold Miners Paid Record $1.57 Billion to State in 2025 Despite Output Drop
By Aboki Forex —
Gold mining companies in Mali paid the government a record 888.5 billion CFA francs, about $1.57 billion, in 2025. That is a 6.4% jump from 835.1 billion CFA francs in 2024, according to mines ministry data reviewed by Reuters.
Mali hosts more than 15 industrial mining companies owned by multinational groups. They include Barrick Gold, B2GOLD, Resolute Mining, Endeavour Mining and Hummingbird Resources.
Taxes made up 66.1% of the sector's total payment in 2025. Customs duties accounted for 10.5%. Another 23.3% came from state revenue classed as 'domaines', mostly dividends from the government's shares in mining companies.
The ministry did not comment officially on why revenue increased. A senior ministry official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said record-high gold prices in 2025 offset losses from lower production.
Mali's industrial gold output fell by 23% in 2025 to 42.2 metric tons, down from 54.8 tons in 2024. The drop was mainly due to Barrick Gold suspending operations for more than six months because of a dispute with the government.