Mali military leader creates ministerial mining role and appoints former Barrick executive
Mali has established a new ministerial role to oversee its mining sector. Former Barrick executive Hilaire Bebian Diarra will lead the presidential-level office.
Insights:
On January 19, 2026, the military leader of Mali 
ML, Assimi Goita assimi goita, issued a presidential decree creating a new ministerial-level role dedicated to the oversight of the mining sector. Hilaire Bebian Diarra hilaire bebian diarra, an earth-science specialist and former executive at the Canadian 
CAmining firm Barrick Gold Corporation , was appointed to lead the position. This move centralizes control of the nation's Gold industry within the presidency during a period of significant regulatory shifts.
ML, Assimi Goita assimi goita, issued a presidential decree creating a new ministerial-level role dedicated to the oversight of the mining sector. Hilaire Bebian Diarra hilaire bebian diarra, an earth-science specialist and former executive at the Canadian CAmining firm Barrick Gold Corporation , was appointed to lead the position. This move centralizes control of the nation's Gold industry within the presidency during a period of significant regulatory shifts.The appointment follows a two-year standoff between the government and Barrick Gold Corporationover the Loulo-Gounkoto mining complex. Hilaire Bebian Diarrapreviously served as a special adviser to the presidency while leading negotiations for the company regarding control of the complex. This transition from the private sector to the government has been characterized as a strategic blow to the Canadianminer.
