Suspected militants attacked Mali’s Morila gold mine over the weekend, torching equipment and briefly abducting seven employees, officials said on Monday. The hostages were released unharmed the following evening, underscoring the volatile security environment facing Mali’s vital mining sector.
An official from the mining ministry confirmed the assault, describing it as another blow to investor confidence in Africa’s third-largest gold producer. Armed men stormed the site on Saturday, setting fire to machinery and disrupting operations at the long-dormant Morila mine.
The attackers targeted an asset recently revived through foreign investment, reflecting a pattern of assaults on economic lifelines in Mali. The mine is linked to US-based Flagship Gold, which signed an investment agreement last year to restart production.
Flagship Gold, incorporated in June 2024, partnered with Mali’s state-owned mining company in October, aiming to restore output at Morila. The site lies in southern Sikasso region and holds an estimated 2.5 million ounces of gold, according to the ministry.
Morila was previously operated by Barrick and AngloGold Ashanti before Australia’s Firefinch withdrew amid falling output and rising costs. No mine workers were killed during the raid, officials said, adding that Malian forces have secured the area.
The army has launched a sweep around the mine, seeking to prevent further attacks and reassure local communities. Mali continues to battle al Qaeda-linked militants, who increasingly strike infrastructure and foreign-backed projects.
Western governments, including Britain, France and the United States, have urged citizens to leave Mali as security fears deepen. The Morila attack highlights the fragile balance between opportunity and risk in a country rich in resources yet scarred by conflict.
