Malian authorities have shut down Canadian mining giant Barrick Gold’s office in Bamako over alleged tax evasion.
The closure marks a sharp escalation in the long-running dispute between the government and the Toronto-based miner, whose operations have faced increasing pressure since late 2023.
In a statement, Barrick confirmed the shutdown and said authorities threatened to place its Loulo-Gounkoto mine under administration unless it resumed operations and paid outstanding taxes.
The Loulo-Gounkoto mine, a major gold-producing complex in western Mali, has been idle since January after the government seized three metric tons of gold.
Barrick insists it signed a resolution agreement with the Malian government in February, which remains unimplemented due to political interference.
“This delay appears driven by personal or political agendas, not Mali’s national interest,” the company said, reiterating readiness to resume operations.
While Bamako staff are now locked out, the closure hasn’t directly impacted mine-site workers, sources said, though tensions remain high.
Malian officials have blocked Barrick’s gold exports since November, deepening uncertainty in a sector crucial to the country’s economy.
The tax dispute triggering the office closure is separate from the gold seizure, according to sources familiar with the situation.
