Mali 2016 gold output forecast to rise as new mines start

Gold production in Mali, the third-largest gold producer in sub-Saharan Africa, is expected to rise to 52.9 t this year from 50.5 t in 2015 as new mines made up for dwindling output from existing projects, the mines ministry said on Thursday. Production from industrial mines is expected to hit 48.9 t, with 4 t coming from smaller artisanal mines, said Karim Berthe, head of the mining division.