Mali Taps Russian Firm to Map Mineral Resources Across More Than Half Its Territory

Mali has signed two agreements with Russian company Zarubezhgeologiya to map mineral resources across more than half its territory and develop a digital platform for managing geological data and mining activities.

The agreements were signed on Wednesday, October 28, according to Russian state news agency TASS. Zarubezhgeologiya handles international projects for Rosgeologiya, Russia's state-owned geological exploration group.

The first agreement covers the production of digital geological maps for two areas that together account for more than half of Mali's territory. The work will identify locations with potential for mineral exploration and provide a clearer picture of the country's geological resources.

The second agreement focuses on developing a digital system to manage geological information, mining licences and operational data. The platform will also support monitoring of mining activities and training for Malian specialists.

Mali Moves to Digitise Mining Administration

The projects combine mineral exploration with efforts to improve how Mali manages its mining industry. Digital geological maps can help authorities identify prospective areas, while a centralised information system can make geological records and licence information easier to access and manage.

The agreements come as Mali continues to modernise its mining administration. On April 17, 2026, authorities unveiled a digital mining cadastre developed by Malian specialists. The system allows companies to submit mining licence applications online and listed 631 mining titles at its launch, according to the Ministry of Mines.

The new platform proposed under the Russian agreements would add geological mapping and further mining management functions to this digitalisation effort.

Mining Remains Central to Mali's Economy

Mining accounted for 9.5% of Mali's gross domestic product and 78.8% of export revenue in 2024, according to figures cited by Malian authorities.

Mining companies paid CFA940 billion, approximately $1.6 billion, to the government in 2025, while gold exports reached CFA2.75 trillion. These figures underline the importance of the sector to government revenue and foreign exchange earnings.

Mali's ability to identify additional mineral deposits could support future exploration and investment. However, geological mapping identifies prospective areas; further exploration is needed to establish whether deposits can be developed commercially.

Expanding Cooperation with Russia

The latest agreements build on earlier cooperation between Bamako and Moscow in mineral exploration. In July 2025, Mali and Russia signed an agreement for Russian specialists to prepare a map of Mali's mineral potential, according to Russia's Ministry of Mines.

Zarubezhgeologiya's latest projects extend that cooperation into digital geological information and mining administration, alongside the work to map areas with potential mineral resources.