Mali – China: Towards the construction of a civil explosives industry to boost the mining sector
On Saturday, November 16, 2024, the Malian government signed a strategic partnership with the Chinese group Norinco Group, through its subsidiary Auxin Chemical Technology Ltd, for the construction of a civilian explosives production plant. The announcement was made by the national TV channel ORTM.
This project aims to provide the country with local manufacturing capacity for explosives used in mines and quarries, a crucial sector for the Malian economy. As the leading gold producer in the WAEMU (West African Economic and Monetary Union) region, Mali also exploits resources such as iron, lithium, and manganese, which require the use of industrial explosives. In 2023, the country imported explosives worth 5.2 million dollars in the second quarter, according to the National Statistics Institute.
The agreement grants Mali 51% of the plant’s capital, while the Chinese subsidiary holds 49%. Auxin Chemical Technology Ltd is fully financing the project and providing its technical expertise. The Minister of Economy and Finance, Alassane Sanou, praised this collaboration, which places Mali at the heart of its mining production chain.
For Mali’s Minister of Mines, Amadou Keïta, this plant represents much more than an industrial tool. “With a civilian explosives production company, we enable job creation, the integration of local labor, and added value to our economy”, he stated.
This project is part of the national policy to promote local content and the ambition of the countries of the Sahel States Alliance (AES) to better control their mining resources. By reducing their reliance on imports, they hope to maximize the economic and social benefits linked to the exploitation of their subsoil.
The plant, whose construction is planned over 12 months, will contribute to Mali’s industrial sovereignty while strengthening its mining sector. While the exact amount of the project has not been disclosed, the initiative marks a turning point in Mali’s strategy for exploiting its natural resources.
