Firms such as DeWe Security and Zhongchen Special Security protect Chinese mining and oil assets (Mali gold and lithium, Niger oil and uranium). Mostly unarmed risk and evacuation work; Chinese law limits armed operations. At least 11 Chinese nationals have been kidnapped in the Sahel since May 2025.
Origin: China
Area of operation: Kayes & western Mali, Niamey
Recent (to 21 Oct 2026)
- Resource sites with Chinese operators: Goulamina lithium mine, Bougouni lithium mine, Agadem oil block, Soraz refinery (Zinder), Niger–Benin export pipeline, Bongor basin oil fields (CNPC), Djermaya refinery, Azelik uranium mine, and Chinese-run artisanal sites in the Kéniéba artisanal gold zone. This research found no confirmed Chinese PSC at Malian mines (Oct 2026).
Referenced by
- Agadem oil block (Chinese interests (PSC context))
- Azelik uranium mine (Chinese interests (PSC context))
- Bongor basin oil fields (CNPC) (Chinese interests (PSC context))
- Bougouni lithium mine (Chinese interests (PSC context))
- Djermaya refinery (Chinese interests (PSC context))
- Goulamina lithium mine (Chinese interests (PSC context))
- Kéniéba artisanal gold zone (Chinese interests (PSC context))
- Niger–Benin export pipeline (Chinese interests (PSC context))
- Soraz refinery (Zinder) (Chinese interests (PSC context))