Mali’s military-led government has seized operational control of Barrick Gold’s Loulo-Gounkoto mine after a court ruling, escalating a tax dispute with Africa’s largest gold producer. A Malian court appointed a provisional administrator for the mine for six months, following claims of unpaid taxes and unfair contracts. However, Barrick retains legal ownership of the mining complex. The company has been in conflict with the Malian government for some time now—a dispute that has led to several Barrick employees being arrested and an arrest warrant issued for the CEO. Barrick, in Mali for 30 years, called the detentions unjust and accused the government of using employees as leverage. However, the junta insists the move protects national interests. This isn’t the first such case—another firm recently paid $80 million to resolve a similar dispute.
France24
