Robex Resources, a Montreal-based junior mining company, has announced a significant shift in its strategic direction, setting its sights on Guinea as the key to its growth ambitions. The company, which has been producing gold at its Nampala mine in Mali since 2017, plans to sell its operations in Mali as part of a broader effort to focus exclusively on developing its Kiniero gold project in neighboring Guinea. The shift is part of Robex’s goal to become a mid-tier West African gold producer, with first gold pour from Kiniero expected in the fourth quarter of 2025.
The company’s decision to exit Mali comes amid increasing geopolitical and operational challenges in the country. As Robex looks to accelerate its growth, the move to Guinea is seen as a strategic pivot to mitigate risks and capitalize on the promising opportunities in the region’s gold sector.
Robex’s Decision to Exit Mali
Robex made headlines in June when it announced that it would sell its Nampala mine and all its assets in Mali. The decision comes in the wake of growing tensions between Mali’s military-backed government and foreign miners. According to Robex, the focus is now on establishing itself as a “Guinean pure play developer” and fast-tracking the development of the Kiniero project, which has the potential to significantly boost the company’s output in the coming years.
Guinea, which shares a border with Mali, has become increasingly attractive to mining companies due to its rich mineral resources and relatively stable political environment compared to its neighbors. Robex plans to pour its first gold at Kiniero in the fourth quarter of 2025, marking a major milestone for the company.
The decision to exit Mali also reflects the growing unease among foreign companies operating in the country. In recent months, tensions between Mali’s government and foreign miners have intensified, with the military-backed government issuing an arrest warrant for Mark Bristow, the CEO of Barrick Gold, and detaining several Barrick employees at the Loulo-Gounkoto mining complex. Similarly, CEO Terry Holohan and other employees of Resolute Mining were detained for 12 days last month before a settlement was reached. These incidents have raised concerns among investors and companies operating in the region.
Geopolitical Tensions and Their Impact on Foreign Investment
Robex’s decision to sell its assets in Mali comes amid a broader trend of heightened geopolitical risk in the region. The Malian government, under military rule since a 2020 coup, has increasingly sought a greater share of the country’s mineral wealth. This push for resource nationalism has created challenges for foreign investors, particularly as the government has implemented new mining codes that require companies to cede a larger portion of their assets to the state.
Robex reached an agreement with the Malian government in September to increase the government’s stake in the Nampala mine to 20% to comply with the country’s new mining code. The company also settled all outstanding tax and customs claims before 2024. However, Robex has expressed concerns about the limited market for potential buyers in Mali due to the geopolitical context, which has created an uncertain investment environment.
Mali, one of the world’s poorest countries, has struggled with political instability and ongoing security threats, particularly from jihadist groups affiliated with al-Qaeda and the Islamic State. The country has turned to Russian mercenaries for support in its battle against these militant groups, further complicating the security situation for foreign investors.
Experts Weigh In on Robex’s Strategic Shift
Industry experts have largely supported Robex’s decision to exit Mali, citing the deteriorating security environment and the challenges of operating in a country facing increasing resource nationalism. Remi Dodd, a geopolitical analyst at consulting group RANE, noted that the security situation in Mali has significantly worsened in recent years, particularly in areas close to the country’s borders with Burkina Faso, where there is significant al-Qaeda-affiliated activity.
Dodd emphasized that Nampala’s proximity to the border with Burkina Faso puts the mine at a higher risk of being affected by militant activity. While he suggested that an attack on Barrick Gold’s Loulo-Gounkoto mine, located further west, is unlikely in the short term, he raised concerns about the security situation at Nampala. The threat of attacks on foreign mining operations in Mali has made it increasingly difficult for companies to operate with confidence in the region.
On the other hand, Dodd noted that Guinea presents a relatively safer environment for mining companies, with no significant jihadist attacks reported in recent years. While he acknowledged the possibility of resource nationalism in Guinea, he suggested that the political imperative for military rulers to extract resources from foreign miners is less pronounced than in Mali, where the government urgently needs financial resources to combat jihadist insurgencies.
The Outlook for Guinea as a Mining Hub
Guinea has long been a favored destination for mining companies due to its rich mineral resources, particularly in gold, bauxite, and iron ore. The country’s gold sector, in particular, has seen significant growth in recent years, with several major international mining companies operating in the region.
In addition to its favorable mineral wealth, Guinea has maintained relative political stability compared to some of its neighbors. While political tensions exist, the country has not experienced the same level of violence or insurgency as Mali or Burkina Faso. This relative stability has made Guinea an attractive option for companies like Robex that are seeking to minimize risk while expanding their operations in West Africa.
Robex’s focus on Guinea and its Kiniero gold project aligns with broader trends in the region, where mining companies are increasingly looking to diversify their operations and reduce exposure to countries with higher geopolitical risk. Guinea’s favorable investment climate, combined with its vast mineral resources, positions it as a key player in the region’s gold sector.
Kiniero Gold Project: A Promising Future
Robex’s Kiniero gold project in Guinea is a key component of the company’s growth strategy. The project, which has the potential to become a significant gold producer, is located in the southeastern part of the country, near the border with Côte d’Ivoire. The Kiniero deposit has already attracted attention from major investors, and the company’s plans to pour first gold by the fourth quarter of 2025 have generated considerable optimism in the market.
The project is still in the development phase, with ongoing exploration and feasibility studies being conducted. However, Robex is confident that Kiniero will play a central role in the company’s transition from a junior miner to a mid-tier producer. With the stability and growth potential of Guinea’s gold sector, the Kiniero project represents a major opportunity for Robex to expand its footprint and significantly increase its production capacity in the coming years.
Robex’s Future in West Africa
As Robex moves forward with its focus on Guinea, the company’s success will depend on its ability to navigate the challenges of operating in a dynamic and often unpredictable region. The shift away from Mali reflects broader trends in the mining industry, as companies seek to reduce risk and ensure long-term profitability by focusing on more stable jurisdictions.
By concentrating its efforts on the Kiniero gold project and building a strong presence in Guinea, Robex aims to become a prominent player in the West African gold market. As geopolitical tensions continue to shape the investment landscape in the region, Robex’s strategic shift could position it well for growth in the coming years.
With the development of Kiniero set to accelerate in the next few years, Robex is poised to transition from a junior producer to a mid-tier mining company, capitalizing on the opportunities presented by Guinea’s rich mineral resources and relatively stable political environment. The company’s decision to focus on Guinea marks a pivotal moment in its growth trajectory and highlights the evolving dynamics of the West African mining industry.
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