On September 30, 2026, Mali's Council of Ministers approved several draft texts for the creation of the School of Mines and Petroleum and the Agency for Research and Development of Mineral Resources. These institutions aim to strengthen human resource training and research in the mining, oil, and gas sectors. The mining and hydrocarbon sector plays a significant role in Mali's economy.
The Malian government seeks to enhance national capacities for training, research, and valorization of natural resources to support the development and exploitation of the country's resources. To address this, the Council of Ministers adopted draft texts for the creation, organization, and functioning of the School of Mines and Petroleum. Mali has substantial mineral and petroleum resources, requiring qualified and sufficient human resources for optimal exploitation.
However, the current training offer in mining and petroleum fields is insufficient, particularly due to the limited consideration of certain specialties. The creation of the School of Mines and Petroleum addresses the need for a specialized structure to train cadres for the mining and petroleum sectors. According to the adopted texts, the school will provide initial and continuous training for human resources in mining and petroleum fields.
The Council of Ministers also approved draft texts for the creation, organization, and functioning of the Agency for Research and Development of Mineral Resources. This new agency will succeed the Program for the Development of Mineral Resources, established by Law No. 90-103/AN-RM of October 11, 1990. The program was responsible for executing the work of the National Directorate of Geology and Mines.
The new agency will be responsible for research, production, securitization, valorization, and diffusion of knowledge in geological, mining, petroleum, and gas fields across the national territory. This reform aims to address the constraints related to the program's status, the evolution of the institutional and legal framework of the mining sector, and the mechanisms for mobilizing financial resources.
Through these two reforms, the authorities intend to strengthen human and scientific capacities necessary for the development of Mali's mining and hydrocarbon sectors. The creation of the School of Mines and Petroleum and the Agency for Research and Development of Mineral Resources will enhance the country's ability to manage its natural resources effectively.
The implementation of these reforms is expected to have a positive impact on Mali's economy and contribute to the country's sustainable development. The government has taken a significant step towards developing the mining and hydrocarbon sectors, which are crucial for the country's economic growth.
Key points
- The creation of the School of Mines and Petroleum aims to address the insufficiency of training in mining and petroleum fields.
- The new Agency for Research and Development of Mineral Resources will succeed the Program for the Development of Mineral Resources.
- The reforms aim to strengthen human and scientific capacities necessary for the development of Mali's mining and hydrocarbon sectors.
