Canadian group embroiled in Mali tax dispute

Malian authorities shut Canadian miner Barrick Gold’s office in the capital Bamako over the alleged non-payment of taxes, according to two sources, Business Day reports. It’s the latest escalation of a protracted dispute over mining revenues. While Barrick Gold did not immediately respond to a request for comment, it has previously denied any wrongdoing. The Toronto-based miner and Mali have been locked in battle since 2023 over the implementation of the West African country’s new mining code that gives Mali’s Government a greater share in the gold mine. It was reported in February that Barrick had signed an agreement to end the dispute and was waiting for approval from the Malian Government. Although it’s now two months later, there may be a resolution to the dispute as soon as next week. Mali’s Government, which took power after coups in 2020 and 2021, has been blocking Barrick Gold’s exports since early November. Nearly 40 Malian staff from the Loulo-Gounkoto complex are being, at least temporarily, transferred to Barrick’s Kibali mine in the DRC, a source said. The transfers were part of a first wave, but 100 Malian staff in total have been identified for relocation, a sign operations are unlikely to restart soon, the source said.