Colonel Assimi Goïta, interim president and the current head of state for Mali, laid the foundation stone for Cimenterie Atlas, a new grinding plant at Dio Gare, Koulikoro region, Mali on 2 June 2022.

It is hoped that the 0.8Mta grinding station will help Mali become self sufficient in cement, as well as create 150 permanent new jobs, according to M Papa Oumar Samake, CEO of Atlas.

Construction of the XOF50bn (US$50m) plant, which is entirely financed by Malian principals with loans from BMS SA (Banque Malienne de Solidarite), is expected to become operational in 2025.