The Malian government and Canadian mining giant Barrick Gold have restarted negotiations after months of stalled discussions over a high-stakes mining dispute.
The deadlock began when Barrick halted operations at its Loulo-Gounkoto gold mine, one of Mali’s largest mining sites, following the seizure of three tonnes of gold by Malian authorities.
The government justified the move by citing Barrick’s alleged failure to meet its financial obligations under Mali’s revised mining code.
Officials in Bamako insist that Barrick Gold must comply with the new regulations and settle an outstanding payment of $199 million before operations can fully resume.
The dispute highlights growing tensions between foreign mining companies and resource-rich African nations, as governments push for greater control over natural resources and increased revenue from foreign investments.
Negotiations are ongoing, with both parties seeking a resoluti