Mali’s auditor general recommends review of mining contracts
The country's Auditor General said conventions establishing mining companies include clauses that do not always guarantee the protection of the interests of the state
Decision gives 18 months more than planned to the operation, which would result in additional production of 470 million pounds of zinc and 52 million pounds of copper during that period.
The new rules are a clear effort to improve the current legislation as seamlessly as possible, but in close attention to the international industry dynamics and to a number of other sensitive issues (such as environmental recovery and security).
Reaching agreements with residents near the project is expected to take about a year, followed by three to build the mine, which will begin operations by 2022.
After six months of lobbying, companies including Glencore and Randgold Resources have got nowhere in their battle to push back against a new mining law that voids existing agreements and increases their costs.
Prime Minister said he would submit tom parliament his own 'proposals' over a settlement reached last year, which would end long-dragged disputes between the company and the country over Kumtor gold mine.