* Seeks state share of 25 percent from 20 percent
* Tax to drop to 25 percent from 30
* Existing contracts need not change
* Mali is Africa’s third biggest gold producer
By Tiemoko Diallo
BAMAKO, Jan 23 (Reuters) – Mali is seeking to raise
the state share in mining projects to 25 percent from 20 percent
in a proposed revision to the West African gold producer’s
mining law, a senior official at the state regulator told
Reuters on Monday.
The revision, which must be passed by parliament, would also
trim taxes on mining income to 25 percent from 35 percent, the
official from the National Directorate of Geology and Mines
(DNGM) said by telephone, asking not to be named.
Mali is Africa’s third-largest gold miner behind South
Africa and Ghana, with major foreign operators including
Resolute Mining, Anglogold, Iamgold,
and Randgold.
The official said companies with existing mining contracts
would not be required to alter their terms if the new proposals
are adopted, but that they could do so if they wished to take
advantage of the lower tax on income.
Continued…
