JOHANNESBURG, Jan 12 (Reuters) - Companies mining in Mali
have not so far been impacted by tough economic sanctions
imposed on the country by the Economic Community of West African
States (ECOWAS), they said, telling investors their mines can
withstand potential supply disruption.
Mali is one of Africa's biggest gold producers, with mining
contributing around 10% of its gross domestic product.
Canadian miner B2Gold's Fekola mine in Mali
continues to operate normally and remains unaffected by the
sanctions, chief executive Clive Johnson told Reuters.
The regional group imposed the sanctions in response to
Mali's delay to planned elections following a 2020 military
coup.
B2Gold expects Fekola to meet its 2022 production targets
and the mine appears well placed to withstand any supply
disruptions that could be caused by ECOWAS border closures,
Johnson said in written responses to Reuters' questions.
B2Gold is however looking at alternative ways to bring in
critical supplies should that be necessary, he said, and
alternate plans for the movement of personnel.
Air France cancelled flights to Mali's capital Bamako on
Monday, citing security risks. Ivory Coast's national carrier
also halted flights, and flights from Senegal were disrupted
too.
Under the sanctions fuel will still be permitted to pass
across regional borders with Mali.
Gold sales from Fekola are expected to continue as normal,
Johnson said. B2Gold expects 2021 production from Fekola to be
between 560,000 and 570,000 ounces of gold.
Mali's biggest gold miner, Barrick Gold, said its
Loulo-Gounkoto mining complex had sufficient supplies to
continue operating normally, but that it was monitoring the
"very fluid" situation closely.
Australian miner Firefinch Ltd said on Wednesday
that work at its Morila gold mine was continuing normally, and
activities at its Goulamina lithium project were unaffected.
Resolute Mining said operations at its Syama gold
mine were also continuing as normal with no immediate impact to
production, supply or the safety of employees and contractors.
(Reporting by Helen Reid; editing by Jason Neely, Louise
Heavens and Tomasz Janowski)