00:00Mali's military junta has created a new ministerial level post to oversee the mining sector,
00:05tightening the government's direct grip on the country's crucial gold industry
00:10and has appointed a former Barrick Mining Executive to the job.
00:14The legal text establishing the role that the minister will have the power to supervise
00:19an implementation of mining policy, monitor compliance with the mining code
00:24and review reports submitted by the license holders,
00:27responsibilities previously held by the Ministry of Mines.
00:31According to a presidential decree dated 19 January,
00:34Kile Bebier Diara, an earth science specialist who left Barrick to join government last year,
00:41has been appointed to the post.
00:43Mali is one of Africa's top gold producers and several national mining forums in recent years
00:49have called for stronger structures to ensure security compliance with standards
00:53and consideration of community impacts in the sector.
00:57To be continued...
00:58To be continued...
01:03To be continued...
