Permit clears the way for pre-stripping and a tolling agreement as B2Gold targets more than 150,000 ounces a year from Fekola Regional starting in 2028.
B2Gold said the State of Mali has granted the Menankoto exploitation permit to its Malian subsidiary, a step that advances development of Fekola Regional, a key near-term production growth project near the Fekola Mine. The permit, issued on August 7, 2026, follows discussions between B2Gold and Mali that began in late July 2025 and also led to approval for underground mining at Fekola in July 2025. Under a September 2024 agreement covering the operation and governance of the Fekola Complex, the Menankoto exploitation permit was issued under Mali's 2023 Mining Code, while the Fekola Mine remains under the 2012 Mining Code. B2Gold said Fekola Regional, made up of the Menankoto exploitation permit and the Dandoko exploration permit, is located about 20 kilometers from the Fekola Mine and will be owned 65% by B2Gold and 35% by the State of Mali. The Fekola Mine, including the Medinandi permit hosting the Fekola and Cardinal open pits and Fekola underground, is owned 80% by B2Gold and 20% by the State of Mali. The company said mining pre-stripping and finalization of a tolling agreement will now begin, with Fekola Regional expected to ramp up through the end of 2027 and produce more than 150,000 ounces a year from 2028 through the mid-2030s.