russia Capitalizing on Its Support for the Junta in Mali

The junta in Mali is opening a gold processing plant in partnership with the russian company “yadran”. Given the timeline of events, this is nothing more than a kind of reward for the mercenaries and their kremlin masters for their “bayonet support” and assistance in maintaining power and crushing the opposition.

According to official information, Mali will receive a controlling stake of 62% of the authorized capital. At the same time, it is telling that the country’s Council of Ministers approved a communiqué on the establishment of the enterprise on May 28, 2025. This occurred on the eve of the restructuring of the international criminal organization “wagner” into the “African corps” of the ministry of defense of the rf and legalization of the latter’s presence in the country. At the same time, the military junta led by Assimi Goita issued a decree completely dissolving all political parties and organizations, and in the summer canceled the elections. As a result of those events, power in the country was effectively usurped, and Goita was appointed President until 2030.

Political developments in Mali escalated into an armed conflict with the junta, which is actively defended by the russian “African corps”. In the spring of 2026, opposition forces attacked Assima Goita’s supporters. Government troops, along with russian mercenaries, were forced to surrender a number of positions in the north of the country. Later that summer, pro-government forces managed to stabilize the situation.

russian militants took an active part in the events. deputy minister of foreign affairs of the rf georgiy borisenko emphasized: “Thanks to the actions of the Malian Armed Forces (FAMa), as well as the servicemen of russia’s ‘African corps’, the situation in the country is under control, and we expect it to continue to stabilize.”

Thus, the profits from the gold refinery’s operations serve as payment to the “African corps” for their service and “protection”. At the same time, the russians are taking control of the country’s main source of foreign trade revenue. In recent years, Mali has ranked 14th in the world in terms of official gold production and is among the top three on the African continent. According to estimates, the new plant’s projected capacity is expected to reach up to 200 tons of metal per year, so the share held by russian entities is quite significant.

During its more than one year in Mali, the “African corps” has already gained notoriety for its brutal actions, including the killing of local residents. According to the international human rights organization Human Rights Watch, among the most recent “operations” carried out by mercenaries this year were a massacre in the village of Bombori on July 10 (nine locals were killed, including four children) and an airstrike on the village of Korniya on June 15 (eight civilians were killed, including three children).

Mali’s junta has stated that the new plant is intended to regulate the activities of local miners, who, according to different estimates, illegally extract up to 60 tons of metal per year. The task of “restoring order” will be entrusted specifically to russian thugs. Thus, along with gold, the Malians will pay the kremlin for its “friendly” assistance with the blood of those who oppose the policies of the country’s current government.

It is important to note that russia is currently selling off its gold reserves to offset its budget deficit. In the first eight months of 2026, the country’s gold reserves decreased by 43.5 tons. Facing difficulties in selling its domestically produced gold due to international sanctions, russia is forced to seek new sources of gold production and supply worldwide to continue financing the war against Ukraine.