Hummingbird`s Yanfolila gold mine is located about 280 km southwest of the Mali capital, Bamako, while B2Gold owns Fekola mine and the Anaconda exploration project in the country.

The miners both report that their operations have, as yet, not been affected by the unrest in the country.

Hummingbird, which has been operating in Mali since 2015 and been in production since December 2017, notes that its security team is in regular contact with the operational and management team regarding the ongoing safety of its staff, operations and assets.

The miner states that the safety of its employees and contractors remains of the “upmost importance”.

B2Gold notes that its Fekola mine has sufficient supplies on hand to maintain its budgeted activities through the end of the third quarter, and beyond, if needed. The miner also reports that its Fekola mill expansion remains on schedule, while its operational days have not been impacted as a result of the political situation in the country.

B2Gold notes that all mine personnel are safe.

Keita resigned hours after soldiers reportedly seized him from his home, following months of mass protests against alleged corruption and worsening security in the West African country.

As one of the largest Canadian investors in Mali, B2Gold has enjoyed strong support for its investment which now totals nearly $1-billion. With more than 2 200 employees in Mali (more than 93% of them Malians), B2Gold has provided major economic benefits, training and capacity building to Malians, providing more than $37-million in salaries for employees in 2019.

As a vital commercial enterprise in Mali, the Fekola mine generated about $134-million in revenue for the government in 2019.