Mali aims to produce more gold than Ghana

Mali aims to overtake Ghana to become Africa's second biggest gold producer after mining 60 t of gold in 2002, President Amadou Toumani Toure said.

Toure also said he wanted more transparency in the sector so that Malians could have a better idea of what was done with the proceeds from gold, the impoverished West African country's biggest export earner.

"At the moment, we are convinced we can overtake Ghana to get the second place," Toure told national media. Ghana exported some 70 t of gold in 2001, while South Africa – the continent's top producer – mined some 388 t in 2002.

Toure said the Treasury had earned 50-billion CFA francs ($80-million) from its share in the country's gold mines in 2002. The 60 t produced last year compared with 51 t for 2001.

Toure said Malians should know more about the country's gold industry.

"This is why I have decided that an annual report will be published, explaining everything about gold output, receipts, revenues, and what has been done with the revenues", he said.