Addressing the African Downunder conference in Perth last week, Mali’s AUREP director, Mamadou Simpara said he hoped Mali’s increasing mining and petroleum activity would generate interest from Australian explorers, after announcing that four blocks were available for immediate oil and gas exploration.

“The tenements - Blocks 15, 16, 17 and 18 – are generally to the southwest with one on the eastern perimeter, but all are contained within the five key sedimentary basins,” he said.

“The blocks will be in addition to the 10 blocks already assigned, plus two applied for and being assigned, and two applied for and being reviewed – so Mali’s petroleum sector is lifting, and lifting rapidly.

“Australian companies have become an integral part of this expression of confidence in Mali’s oil and gas industry, by signing a range of agreements with the Mali Government – and we would welcome further significant Australian participation.”

With iron ore interests in neighbouring Mauritiania, Sphere Investments will soon start an oil and gas exploration program in Mali, with exploration team leaders arriving in the country last week to start the work programs.

Meanwhile, ASX-listed Baraka Petroleum is completing its first seismic and evaluation work program in Mali and currently preparing its second program across its five blocks in the Taoudeni Basin.

Simpara said Mali’s political stability, as well as its legal and regulatory frameworks, were favourable for investment in the country’s oil and mining sectors, due to the extent of under-explored provinces.