In Bamako, a new initiative is taking shape to address the gender gap in Mali’s mining industry. The Women’s Voice and Leadership Academy, founded by Ms. Maïmouna Salamenta, CEO and General Manager of Moulina Mining SARL, has officially launched its first cohort. The opening ceremony took place on Saturday, August 1, 2026, at the Faculty of Science and Technology (FST) in Bamako, marking the start of a twelve-month training program aimed at young female students.
A Response to a Persistent Gender Imbalance
The launch event drew a range of industry stakeholders, including Dr. Madani Diallo, President of the Federation of Geoscientists of Mali (FEGEM), and Dr. Mamadou Keïta, Honorary President of the former AEEM. Academics, mining professionals, and students also attended, along with the participants of this inaugural cohort.
Speakers at the ceremony highlighted the initiative as a timely response to the underrepresentation of women in the sector. According to data from Mali’s Ministry of Mines, women make up roughly 8% of the workforce in industrial mining companies, while their presence in artisanal gold mining is significantly higher. This disparity, speakers argued, underscores the need for programs that prepare young women for technical and decision-making roles.
Program Focus: Skills, Mentoring, and Confidence
Ms. Salamenta described the academy as a space for learning, mentoring, and personal development, with the goal of fostering a new generation of female leaders. Over the next twelve months, participants will receive support in leadership, communication, self-confidence, personal development, and professional skills tailored to the mining sector.
The founder also called on universities, mining companies, experts, and technical and financial partners to back the initiative. She argued that a high-performing mining sector depends on better use of women’s skills—a view echoed by officials who praised her commitment to equal opportunities.
Real-World Insights from Women in Mining
A notable feature of the launch was a panel discussion led entirely by women working in mining professions. They shared their career journeys with the participants, emphasizing values such as discipline, punctuality, integrity, boldness, perseverance, and a sense of responsibility as key to success. The panel offered a practical look at the challenges and rewards of working in a male-dominated field.
Strong Interest and Regional Reach
The first edition of the academy attracted more than 130 applications, signaling strong demand for such training. Moulina Mining SARL, which operates in Mali—particularly in the Kayes and Sikasso regions—as well as in Guinea and Côte d’Ivoire, sees the academy as a way to contribute to a more inclusive mining industry and support the country’s economic development.
As the program gets underway, its success will depend on sustained support from partners and the commitment of its participants. For now, the launch represents a concrete step toward narrowing the gender gap in a sector where women remain a small minority.