BAMAKO, March 5 (Reuters) - Mali is suspending the

granting of new artisanal mining permits to foreigners, after a

couple of accidents in recent weeks left dozens dead.

The collapse on February 15 of an artisanal gold mine killed

43 people, mostly women, in the gold-rich Kayes region.

On January 29, 13 artisanal miners, including women and

three children, were killed in southwest Mali after a tunnel in

which they were digging for gold flooded.

In response to the deaths, Mali's Council of Ministers

decided at its weekly meeting on Wednesday to suspend the

granting of artisanal mining permits "to persons of foreign

nationality", a statement said.

It also approved the dismissal of administrative and

security officials connected to the two recent accidents, the

statement said.

Mali is one of Africa's top gold producers and home to

industrial mines operated by international companies including

Barrick Gold ( GOLD ), B2Gold Corp ( BTG ), Resolute Mining ( RMGGF )

and Hummingbird Resources Plc.

After seizing power in 2020 in a military coup, Mali's

leaders pledged to scrutinise the country's mining sector so the

state would benefit more from gold prices running at all-time

highs.

The result was a series of disputes with foreign firms

including one with Barrick that remains unresolved.

Mali's industrial gold production plunged 23% year-over-year

in 2024.