mali mineral rights granted, page-7

Five mines operate in western Mali, not far from the border with Senegal, and there are three in the south, closer to Guinea and Ivory Coast.
Several mine executives said Mali's geology is exciting, which explains why more than a dozen companies, from majors listed on the U.S. NASDAQ index to minors listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange's Venture Exchange, work here.
"You've got to understand that it's extremely easy to find gold in Mali, especially western Mali," said Rod Quick, a manager at the offshore Randgold Resources' Loulo mine, about 140 miles south of here. "I think anyone with the smallest bit of knowledge about geology could go out here and find some rocks that contain gold in it."
What inspires those seeking precious metals to keep going is the discovery of several major multimillion-ounce deposits, including at the Loulo mine, which yield millions of dollars in profit.
Randgold officials said that their company earns $4 million to $5 million a month from the mine, and that it plans to spend $100 million for an underground expansion that began this month.
"Somebody's gone before us," said Ben Adoo, managing director of the Toronto-based African Gold Group's Ghana subsidiary, which is now exploring in southern Mali. "We think we can follow suit."
Mali's minerals are the main attraction for the mining companies, but the country's democratic credentials and political stability convince them that investing tens of millions of dollars is worthwhile.
Max De Vietri has an exceptional relationship with Malian president and holds massive blocks of unexplored land in western Mali. The mineral potential could be enormous. How long before this attracts major farmin partners...