US EditionBarrick, Mali government agree to resolve gold mine dispute
The deal ends a two-year dispute over tax and mining code changes, with Barrick agreeing to pay $180,000 and Mali lifting charges and returning seized gold.
- On Monday, Barrick Mining Corp. signed a deal with the government of Mali to resolve a dispute over the Loulo-Gounkoto gold complex, ending a two-year standoff.
- The dispute grew from alleged unpaid taxes and unfair contracts, Barrick's December last year arbitration, and Mali's ruling junta's 2020 coup that increased pressure on foreign miners.
- Under the deal, legal actions will be halted as Barrick's subsidiaries withdraw arbitration claims, the provisional administration of Loulo-Gounkoto ends, and Barrick pays around $180,000 within six days.
- An arrest warrant exists for Barrick CEO Mark Bristow as Mali's Minister of Mines, Amadou Keita said both parties committed to halting legal proceedings and tax disputes.
- Barrick Mining Corp. has operated in Mali for three decades and agreed to Mali's 2023 mining code allowing up to 30% ownership, following a precedent $80 million payment in tax disputes.
34 Articles
34 Articles
The transitional authorities in power in Mali and the Canadian gold company Barrick Gold announced on November 24, 2025 the end of their several-month dispute over one of the largest gold deposits in the world that Bamako had obtained provisional administration in June. After two years of tension, it was the end of a rebounded soap opera.
The Canadian industrialist and the Malian state have been arming each other for months around the Loulo-Gounkoto (West) complex, the country's largest gold mine, 80% owned by the mining group and 20% owned by Mali. From now on, "control operations on the complex will be returned to Barrick".
Malian power seized more than three tons of gold on the gold site, forcing the Canadian company to suspend its operations.
Mali and Canadian miner Barrick agree to resolve tax dispute, ending 2-year standoff
Mali’s ruling junta and Canadian miner Barrick have reached an agreement to resolve a tax dispute involving one of Africa’s largest gold mining complexes. The agreement ends a two-year standoff over Mali’s new mining code, which increases the state’s share…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources lean Left
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
