Canada’s Barrick Gold has said it may be compelled to suspend operations in Mali after it failed to resolve a dispute with the country’s military government.
It marks the latest development in a stand-off between the Malian government and international miners, as the government seeks to gain a larger share of revenues from the country’s natural resources.
Four Barrick Gold employees are under arrest in Mali and the country has issued an arrest warrant for chief executive Mark Bristow.
Barrick said on Monday that operating conditions had “deteriorated significantly” and that gold shipments had been blocked, alongside the employees’ detention.
“If shipments remain suspended, Barrick will be compelled to suspend operations, further impacting the viability of this critical economic driver for Mali,” it said.
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