Mali: Construction begins on industrial explosives factory to strengthen mining sovereignty
The Malian government is taking a strategic step toward industrial independence with the approval of a civil-use explosives manufacturing plant project. This facility, to be named FARATCHI‑CO SA, will be majority-owned by the Malian state with a 51% stake, reflecting a commitment to public control over this sensitive sector.
The project will be carried out by the Chinese company Auxin Chemical Technology, a subsidiary of the NORINCO group, which will finance and build the production unit.
This Sino‑Malian cooperation falls within the framework of the South‑South partnerships that the country is developing for its industrialization.
The future plant will produce industrial explosives primarily for the national mining sector, including for the extraction of gold, lithium, and quarry materials.
Local production will secure supply for mining companies while reducing dependence on imports.
This initiative serves several strategic objectives: mastering a critical part of the extractive industry’s value chain, creating skilled jobs, generating state revenue, and strengthening the security of supply for civil explosives.
Neil CAMARA
