"The allocation of mining titles is suspended throughout the territory as of Monday, November 28, 2022. From this date, no application for a mining title will be received or processed by the competent services," said the mines ministry.

It said it will issue another statement when the suspension is lifted.

Mali is one of Africa's top gold producers with industrial production reaching 63.4 tonnes in 2021.

(Reporting by Tiemoko Diallo; Writing by Nellie Peyton; Editing by Frank Jack Daniel)