Africa Mining: Mali’s Keita names new mines minister

BAMAKO – Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita named new mines minister on Sunday as he began his second five-year term presiding over a country ravaged by jihadist and inter-ethnic violence.

Keita was sworn in last week after winning a landslide re-election despite escalating attacks by Islamist militants and clashes between herders and pastoralists that have killed hundreds of civilians this year.

The violence has spread to neighbouring Niger and Burkina Faso, alarming Western powers like France and the United States, which have deployed troops and air power across the region’s sprawling desert landscape.

Keita maintained Soumeylou Boubeye Maiga as PM and most of the 33-member Cabinet was also unchanged, according to the announcement on State television.

Lelenta Hawa Baba Bah was named the mines minister after having led the National Directorate of Geology and Mines. As minister, she will oversee the government’s bid to revise the mining code, potentially by reducing the length of operators’ exemptions from changes to the fiscal regime.

Mali is Africa’s third-largest gold producer behind South Africa and Ghana, with major investors including Randgold Resources and AngloGold Ashanti..source: Reuters