Case Details

Société des Mines de Loulo S.A. and Société des Mines de Gounkoto S.A. v. Republic of Mali (ICSID Case No. ARB/25/2)

Subject of Dispute:

Gold mining
Economic Sector:

Oil, Gas & Mining
Instrument(s) Invoked:

Contract
Applicable Rules:

ICSID Convention - Arbitration Rules

(a) Original Proceeding

Claimant(s)/Nationality(ies):

Société des Mines de Loulo S.A. (Malian), Société des Mines de Gounkoto S.A. (Malian)
Respondent(s):

Republic of Mali (Malian)
Date Registered:

January 10, 2025
Date of Constitution of Tribunal:

May 23, 2025

Composition of Tribunal

President:

Michele POTESTÀ (Italian, Swiss) - Appointed by the Chairman of the Administrative Council
Arbitrators:

Eric A. SCHWARTZ (French, U.S.) - Appointed by the Claimant(s)
Sibidi Emmanuel DARANKOUM (Burkinabe, Canadian) - Appointed by the Respondent(s)

Party Representatives

Claimant(s):

Cabinet Juri-Partner, Bamako, Mali
ASAFO & CO. AARPI, Paris, France
Debevoise & Plimpton, New York, NY, U.S.A.
Respondent(s):

Direction Générale du Contentieux de l’État, Bamako, Mali
Iventus Mining, Bamako, Mali
Diamana Diawara, Paris, France
SCPA Legalis Advisory, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
AFS Conseils Mali, Bamako, Mali
Cabinet d’avocats FFT, Bamako, Mali
Language(s) of Proceeding:

French
Status of Proceeding:

Pending
Latest Development:

November 14, 2025 - The Respondent files a request to address the objections to jurisdiction as a preliminary question.

No References Available.

(a) Original Proceeding

Date	Development
January 10, 2025	The Secretary-General registers a request for the institution of arbitration proceedings.
April 20, 2025	Following appointment by the Claimants, Eric Schwartz (French/U.S) accepts his appointment as arbitrator.
April 30, 2025	Following appointment by the Respondent, Sibidi Emmanuel Darankoum (Burkinabe/Canadian) accepts his appointment as arbitrator.
May 14, 2025	The Claimant files a request for provisional measures.
May 23, 2025	Following appointment by the Chairman of the Administrative Council in accordance with Article 38 of the ICSID Convention, Michele Potestà (Italian/Swiss) accepts his appointment as presiding arbitrator.
May 23, 2025	The Tribunal is constituted in accordance with Article 37(2)(b) of the ICSID Convention. Its members are: Michele Potestà (Italian/Swiss), President, appointed by the Chairman of the Administrative Council in accordance with Article 38 of the ICSID Convention; Eric A. Schwartz (French/U.S.), appointed by the Claimants; and Sibidi Emmanuel Darankoum (Burkinabe, Canadian), appointed by the Respondent.
May 27, 2025	The Respondent files observations on the Claimant’s request for provisional measures.
June 13, 2025	The Respondent files observations on the Claimants’ request for provisional measures.
June 24, 2025	The Claimants file a response to the Respondent’s observations of June 13, 2025.
July 3, 2025	The Respondent’s files a response to the Claimants’ observations of June 24, 2025.
July 21, 2025	The Tribunal holds a first session by video conference.
July 21, 2025	The Tribunal holds a hearing on provisional measures by video conference.
July 24, 2025	The Tribunal issues Procedural Order No. 1 concerning procedural matters.
October 29, 2025	The Tribunal issues Procedural Order No. 2 concerning provisional measures.
October 31, 2025	The Claimants file a memorial on the merits.
October 31, 2025	The Claimants file a memorial on the merits.
November 14, 2025	The Respondent files a request to address the objections to jurisdiction as a preliminary question.