Mali has commenced the construction of a gold refinery in partnership with the Russian Yadran Group, marking a significant step in asserting its economic sovereignty.

• The refinery will have a capacity of 200 tonnes and is located near Bamako.
• Gen Assimi Goïta, the military leader, emphasized the refinery as a realization of a long-awaited dream for the Malian people.
• This project aligns with Mali's shift towards strengthening ties with Russia while diminishing relations with Western nations, as evidenced by the state control over the gold mine run by Barrick.

British Steel has secured a **£500m** contract to supply train tracks to **Network Rail** over five years, ensuring the future of its Scunthorpe plant and safeguarding thousands of jobs.

• Contract worth **£500m** to supply over **337,000 tonnes** of track
• Key organization involved: Network Rail
• Agreement beginning **July 1** demonstrates the UK government's commitment to bolster domestic manufacturing amidst concerns over national steel production