Mali Detains Four Senior Barrick Gold Employees Amid Stricter Mining Regulations

Barrick Gold, a Canadian mining company, has confirmed the detention of four employees from its Loulo-Gounkoto mining complex in Mali. The employees were taken into custody, and the company said it is engaging with the Malian government to resolve the situation.

Neither Barrick nor the Malian authorities have publicly disclosed the charges against the employees. However, sources familiar with the matter alleged that the charges involved money laundering and damage to public property.

In a statement from its Toronto headquarters, Barrick said it is working to find a resolution.

Our attempts to find a mutually acceptable resolution have so far been unsuccessful, but we remain committed to engage with the government in order to resolve all the claims levied against the company and its employees and secure the early release of our unjustly imprisoned colleagues,” its CEO, Mark Bristow said.

The company said it has been in discussions with Mali since 30 September to finalise an agreement that will define the partnership between the company and the government. This agreement is expected to outline the state’s share of the economic benefits from the Loulo-Gounkoto complex and establish the legal framework for their collaboration.

Tensions between Barrick and Mali have risen in recent months. On 30 September, four other employees were detained briefly but released a few days later. While Barrick announced progress in resolving disputes following their release, Mali’s ministries of mining and economy later accused the company of failing to meet its obligations. The government warned that the company could face serious consequences if the issues remain unresolved.

The Loulo-Gounkoto complex is a vital asset for both Barrick and Mali. Barrick operates the complex, with the Malian state holding a minority stake. The mining industry plays a central role in Mali’s economy, as such the military-led regime has taken steps to exert greater control over its natural resources. In August 2023, it introduced a new mining code that allows the state to acquire a stake of up to 30 per cent in new projects. The reforms also ended tax exemptions previously granted to mining companies.

This is not the first time Mali has clashed with foreign mining firms. Recently, the government reached a $160 million settlement with Resolute Mining over another dispute. The ongoing standoff with Barrick is due to the authorities’ drive to assert more authority in the gold and mining sector.

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