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articles.   Article Free Pass  Resources and power  Mali’s
mineral resources are extensive but remain relatively
undeveloped. Exploited deposits include salt (at Taoudenni),
marble and kaolin (at Bafoulabé), and limestone (at Diamou). The
most important exploited mineral is gold, a significant source
of foreign exchange. Gold is mined primarily in the southwestern
areas of the country, on the Mandingue Plateau. The ancient
Malian empire was based on the exploitation of gold, but those
deposits were depleted before the advent of colonial rule in the
19th century.  Mali has many mineral deposits that are not
commercially exploited, owing to the country’s limited
infrastructure. Iron is the most widespread, with deposits found
in the west near the Senegal and Guinea borders. Bauxite
deposits are located near Kayes and on the Mandingue Plateau.
Manganese is also found, and there are phosphate dep