BAMAKO, Aug 22 (Reuters) - Mali's gold reserves fell 17%...

BAMAKO, Aug 22 (Reuters) - Mali's gold reserves fell 17% between 2022 and 2024 to 731 metric tons, statistical data from the mines ministry showed on Wednesday.

Mali is one of Africa's top gold producers and is home to mining companies including Barrick Gold ABX.TO , B2GOLD BTO.TO and Resolute Mining (RSG) .

According to data provided to Reuters, gold reserves held by mining companies fell to 731 metric tons from 881.7 tons two years ago.

The mines ministry did not provide a reason for the reserves decrease.

Data showed that Syama mine, owned by Australian company Resolute Mining, comes out on top with 141 tons of gold reserves.

It is followed by Allied Gold's Sadiola mine AAUC.TO with 108.1 tons, and B2GOLD's Fekola mine with 107.7 tons.

The west African country's industrial gold production stood at 66.5 tons last year and it is expected to drop by about 14% to 57.3 tons in 2024.

Based on an average production of 65 tons of gold per year, current reserves represent 11 years of output.

Last November, Mali signed an agreement with Russia to build a gold refinery with an annual capacity of 200 tons.