Mali gives gold permits to five mining firms: government official

BAMAKO: Mali has granted gold permits to five companies to operate and extract from gold mines with total reserves of 9.7 million ounces, a senior official in the ministry of mines told Reuters on Thursday.

The companies given permits are Papillon Resources, Robex Resources, New Gold Mali SA, Glencar Mining and Etruscan Resources, Hassimi Sidib?, technical advisor in the ministry, said.

Mali is Africa's third largest gold producer.