Mali suspends artisanal mining permits granted to foreigners

Bamako: Permits for artisanal mining in Mali granted to "individuals of foreign nationality" have been suspended on the orders of Malian President Assimi Goita, Minister of Security and Civil Protection Daoud Aly Mohammedine announced on Wednesday.

This measure follows two collapses of gold mining sites. The first incident, which occurred on Feb. 15 in western Mali, resulted in around 50 deaths, while the second, which took place on Jan. 29 in southwestern Mali, claimed about ten lives.

According to the minister, who spoke during a press briefing in Bamako, the president has instructed the government to "strengthen measures to prevent human and environmental tragedies" in Mali.

The president has also decided to "revoke the appointment acts of administrative officials directly involved in the occurrence of these incidents," added the minister.