Mali gold output jumps 30% in first half, beating forecasts

Separately, Mali's Council of Ministers this month granted a large-scale mining permit for B2Gold's Menankoto project, paving the way for the development of a new gold mine.

The permit adds to a pipeline of new gold projects in Mali, including Toubani Resources' TRE.AX Kobada development.

B2Gold expects Menankoto to produce more than 150,000 ounces annually from 2028, while Kobada is designed to produce about 162,000 ounces a year and is targeting first gold in 2027.

BAMAKO, Aug 18 (Reuters) - Mali's industrial gold production rose about 30% in the first half of 2026, surpassing government forecasts and signaling a rebound from a difficult 2025 marked by tensions between the state and miners.

Mali, one of Africa's leading gold producers, has tightened its grip on the mining sector to boost revenues, introducing reforms that have sometimes unsettled miners.

The fallout had weighed on output, as production fell to 42.2 metric tons in 2025 from the record 66.5 tons produced in 2023.

Yet the latest mines ministry data showed industrial gold output reached 23.5 tons between January and June, up from about 18 tons in the same period of 2025 and exceeding the government's forecast of 21.2 tons.

The ministry's industrial production scoreboard did not give reasons for the stronger than expected performance and Mali's mines ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The data suggests Mali is on track to meet or exceed its full-year industrial gold production forecast of 43.2 tons.