Adelaide, Sept 8, 2006 (ABN Newswire) - Mali has put out the welcome mat to Australia's mining sector, saying recent enhancements in the country's mining policy now make it a natural "home base" for
our local resources expertise and investment.

A key appeal to Australian miners would be Mali's decision to allow overseas companies to import free of duties, all petroleum products and goods - one of the
largest single mine project costs - necessary for mining operations.

Addressing the Paydirt Media 2006 Africa Downunder Conference in Perth today, Mali's Director of Geology and Mines, Mr Dramane Dembele, said the country's mining potential focused on its gold, phosphate, limestone, marble, bauxite, iron and manganese deposits.

"We are already the third largest gold producer in Africa but in order to make Mali accessible to investors, the Government has now acquired a modern documentation centre equipped with a Geological Information System," Mr Dembele said.

"Mali's mining policy has been upgraded to strengthen legislative and regulatory frameworks, intensify resource assessments, attract private investment as a high priority while setting higher standard environmental guidelines.

"The Mali Government is strongly behind the initiatives as we see an enhanced mining sector as necessary to boost the country's Gross Domestic Product and improve our balance of trade while contributing to an improvement in Mali's social fabric."