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Canadian miners in Mali are grappling with security as a French-led assault pushed rebel forces further away from the capital on Tuesday.
Some companies have reduced operations, cancelled exploration or pulled out foreign workers. But mining operations are still carrying on normally in Mali’s gold-rich southwest, where most companies work hundreds of kilometres from the fighting that has gripped the vast West African nation.
Toronto-headquartered IAMGOLD evacuated about six Canadian workers from several areas in early January when rebels began advancing southward toward the capital, Bamako, as a “precautionary measure,” said Bob Tait, vice president of investor relations.
It has cut some exploration activities but its two mines continue to operate normally, he said. IAMGOLD holds equal shares in the Sadiola and Yatela gold mines with AngloGold Ashanti, which operates both mines. Mali is Africa’s third-largest gold miner after Ghana and South Africa. Production — and investment — is rising as its government looks to take advantage of high metal prices worldwide.
As of 2011, Canadian mining assets in the country were nearly $500 million, ranking it ninth in Africa. There are more than 15 Canadian mining and exploration firms working in the country, according to Natural Resources Canada.