Sahel Edition

Sahel: Mali and Canadian mining firm Barrick are talking againF

Posted On 3 February 2025

Number of times this article was read : 7882

Mali’s junta and Canadian gold mining firm Barrick Gold went back to the negotiating table to find a compromise in their ongoing feud.  The two spent months fighting over the Loulo-Gounkoto gold mine, where the Malian authorities recently seized nearly three tons of gold to pressure the Canadian company. The ongoing talks seek to address Mali’s new mining code and a $199 million compensation demand. Previously, the government had also sought $500 million in unpaid taxes and issued an arrest warrant for Barrick’s CEO, Mark Bristow.

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