There are simplified reports of what’s going on in the world.
And then there is the reality…
Check out the 5 minute video that explains how Russia is taking Africa’s gold… and there are major gold companies at risk:
Here are the notes and citations for all of information in the video:
– September 2021: Reports emerge about Mali making a deal with Russian mercenaries (the Wagner Group)
– Russia invades Ukraine February 24, 2022
– Mali has sided with Russia, during UN votes, since the beginning of the war in Ukraine.
– Wagner group tries to get access to 3 gold mines in Gao region of Mali, which were/are controlled by Canadian and Australian gold mining companies.
– In January of 2024, Mali’s military rulers scrapped a peace deal with separatists (Touregs), which further distanced themselves from France and the West, subsequently further aligning themselves with Russia
– July of 2024, Toureg separatists (who are now alledgedly backed by Ukraine, French military, and regional armed groups with “allegiance to al-Qaeda”) kill dozens in the Mali army and Wagner mercenaries near the border with Algeria in the Tinzaouatene district of Mali.
– Russia (as of this writing) continues to expand its footprint into Africa, especially across the Sahel Region.
– “Officially,” Mali’s main export is gold, which makes up over 95% of their GDP. “Gold is Mali’s most important commodity, dominating total exports. Mali has become Africa’s third-largest gold producer and 13th-largest in the world.” (ADF-M)
– “Loulo-Gounkoto to remain among world’s top 10 gold producers” (Mining.com)
– “Experts say Mali’s most productive gold mines — Loulo and Gounkoto, run by Canada’s Barrick Gold — are in Russia’s crosshairs.” (ADF)
– As of July 2024, Barrick Gold is still committed to investing in Mali (per their press release). “over the past 29 years Barrick had invested more than $10 billion in the Malian economy, with its mines accounting for between 5% and 10% of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) annually. In the past year alone, Barrick has contributed more than a $1 billion to the Malian economy.”
– The Loulo-Gounkoto mines are Barrick’s largest gold mines in Africa, and 4th largest in the company’s portfolio (as stated in their Gold Mineral Reserves report). These mines represent a significant amount of the company’s total annual gold production.
Current publicly traded gold miners in Mali include:
– Barrick Gold (Loulo-Gounkoto complex)
– B2Gold (Fekola Mine)
– Hummingbird Resources (Yanfolila Gold Mine)
– Toubani Resources (Kobada Gold Project)
– Cora Gold (multiple projects)
– Sylla Gold (Niaouleni Gold Project)
– Endeavour Mining (Kalana Project)
– Allied Gold (Sadiola Mine)
