Chad imposed an indefinite suspension on new mining prospecting authorizations, following a ministerial order dated September 10.
The measure applies nationwide to all new applications for exploration licenses, but authorities have not specified how long the freeze will last or provided a detailed rationale beyond the broader context of ongoing sector reforms, according to Africa Press.
On September 8, Chad’s Mines, Petroleum and Geology Minister Fatima Haram Acyl officially launched a national workshop to validate a draft new mining code, bringing together public officials, miners, civil society, academics and development partners.
According to the ministry, the reform aims to adapt the legal framework to current sector realities, strengthen transparency and traceability in resource management, and improve environmental safeguards and protections for communities near mining sites.
By pausing new prospecting authorizations while the code is finalized, the government appears to be seeking tighter regulatory control over exploration, curbing speculative license holding and ensuring that future allocations align with updated rules on governance, local content and fiscal terms.
The freeze arrives at a time when gold has become central to Chad’s strategy to diversify away from oil dependence. The country reported 324 gold exploitation sites in 2024, and authorities have announced plans to develop four gold-processing plants to increase domestic value addition from mineral resources.
Although Chad is not among Africa’s largest formal gold producers, the metal has grown into a key export earner, largely through artisanal and informal mining. The World Bank estimates that gold accounted for about 37% of Chad’s goods exports in 2023, second only to crude oil at 69%. The bank also estimates that artisanal mineral extraction could represent around 3.8% of GDP.
For investors, Chad’s suspension may signal short‑term uncertainty but also a potential reset toward a more structured and transparent allocation of mineral rights once the new code is adopted.
Earlier, Mali suspended new mining titles in November 2022 to overhaul its permitting system and partially eased that suspension in March 2025, while keeping new mining permits under restriction. Ghana has similarly used moratoriums to curb speculative holding and free up concessions for serious investors, coupling these with reforms such as shorter exploration licenses and stricter development obligations.
