• Mali launches digitized mining cadaster replacing outdated system
• 631 mining titles registered; transparency and procedures improved
• Exploration investment declines persist amid permit uncertainty

Mali’s government on Friday, April 17, unveiled a new mining cadaster to replace an outdated system at a time when an S&P Global Market Intelligence report indicates a continued decline in mineral exploration investment in the country.

A cadaster is a key tool in any mining jurisdiction, used to register exploration permits, map allocated areas and track permit holders and validity periods. In Mali, the update reflects authorities’ efforts to address weaknesses in the previous system and improve transparency in the management of mining titles.

Government data show the new cadaster is fully digitized and will move all administrative procedures online. Authorities say it is more secure and fully operational, with 631 mining titles already registered. By comparison, Mali had 1,062 titles at the end of 2022, according to the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI).

The number remained stable in 2023 due to a suspension of new exploration permits. That measure, along with the new cadaster, forms part of broader efforts to streamline sector procedures. Authorities have yet to clarify next steps, as reforms continue, including a large-scale revocation of mining titles announced in late November 2025.

What next for exploration?

Despite expected improvements from the new cadaster, uncertainty over new exploration permits remains a key constraint, with the sector continuing to lose momentum. In its World Exploration Trends 2026 report, S&P said Mali recorded a third consecutive annual decline in exploration investment, with the sharpest drop in Africa, ahead of Madagascar and Namibia.

Early results from Bamako’s reform efforts will be critical for a sector that plays a central role in the economy. Mining, dominated by gold, accounted for 9.2% of GDP in 2022. Mali was Africa’s second-largest gold producer in 2024 after Ghana, according to the World Gold Council, and hosts major operators including Barrick Mining and B2Gold, highlighting its mineral potential.

Focus now shifts to the rollout of the new cadaster and its impact on exploration activity and policy. Meanwhile, some regional peers are outpacing Mali, with Côte d’Ivoire recording the strongest growth in exploration spending on the continent over the past year.

Aurel Sèdjro Houenou