Mali appoints banker as new mines minister

BAMAKO, Oct 4 (Reuters) - West African gold producer Mali has appointed banker Mamadou Igor Diarra as mines minister, the government said on state television late on Thursday.

Diarra, whose most recent job was Director General of one of Mali's biggest banks, has replaced Ahmed Sow, who resigned earlier this week.

Water and energy are also in Diarra's portfolio.

Mali is sub-Saharan Africa's third-largest gold producer, but established mines are coming to the end of their productive lives. Output is expected at 50.11 tonnes this year, down from 56.75 tonnes in 2007.

The Finance Ministry said last month it would create a special account for its gold revenues as international lenders increasingly make transparency of resources income a key issue when dealing with African countries.

Firms active in Malian gold include the world's No.3 gold miner AngloGold Ashanti (ANGJ.J) and Randgold (RNGJ.J). (Reporting by Ibrahim Guindo; Writing by Daniel Magnowski)