Workers in safety gear inspecting mining site in Madagascar’s lush environment.
Madagascar has moved to reboot its mining sector by lifting a freeze on issuing mining permits that has been in place since 2010. The long freeze, initially imposed during a political transition to curb speculation, had left over 1,650 applications in limbo. The government’s decision to resume issuing permits signals a fresh attempt to bring order and confidence to a sector long hampered by inactivity and speculation. This reopening follows the adoption of a new mining code in 2023, designed to tighten oversight, reduce dormant permits, and accelerate exploration. While officials have not set a timeline for clearing the backlog, the shift offers long-awaited clarity for investors. With rich deposits of graphite, cobalt, and rare earths still underdeveloped, Madagascar is betting that reform can finally turn mineral wealth into economic impact.
Ecofin Agency