Suspected Jihadist Attack Hits Mali’s Morila Gold Mine, Underscoring Rising Security Risks

Morila mine in Mali. Credit: Barrick

Bamako, Mali — Suspected jihadist militants attacked the Morila gold mine over the weekend, setting fire to mining equipment and briefly abducting seven employees before releasing them unharmed, according to officials from the Ministry of Mines.

The incident highlights the escalating security challenges facing Mali, Africa’s third-largest gold producer, as armed groups linked to al Qaeda increasingly target strategic economic assets and foreign-backed investments.

Attack Details and Immediate Response

Armed assailants reportedly entered the mine site on Saturday, damaging equipment and taking seven workers hostage. The hostages were released the following evening, and no fatalities were reported. Malian security forces have since secured the area and launched sweep operations to restore control, a ministry spokesperson said.

Authorities did not disclose the extent of the damage or whether operations have been suspended, citing ongoing security assessments.

Ownership and Strategic Importance

The Morila mine is being redeveloped by Flagship Gold, a New York–based firm incorporated in mid-2024. The company signed a partnership agreement with Mali’s state-owned mining company in October 2025 to restart production at the site, which holds estimated reserves of 2.5 million ounces of gold, according to the Ministry of Mines.

Morila was taken over by the Malian state after Australia’s Firefinch exited the project amid declining output and rising operating costs. Prior to that, the mine was operated by Barrick Gold and AngloGold Ashanti, and was once considered one of West Africa’s flagship gold assets.

Flagship Gold did not immediately respond to requests for comment following the attack.

Broader Implications for the Mining Sector

The incident reinforces investor concerns around operating risk in Mali’s mining sector, particularly as militant groups broaden their focus beyond military targets to include industrial infrastructure, logistics corridors, and extractive assets. Gold mining remains a critical source of foreign exchange and fiscal revenue for Mali, making sector stability a strategic priority for the government.

Western governments, including the United Kingdom, France, and the United States, have in recent months urged their citizens to leave the landlocked West African nation, citing deteriorating security conditions.