Mali Detains Four Barrick Gold Employees Over Tax Dispute

The arrests mark a continued effort by Mali's military regime to pressure foreign mining companies for greater revenue shares and tax payments.

Malian authorities have arrested four senior employees of Barrick Gold's Loulo-Gounkoto mining complex, alleging charges of money laundering and damaging public property.
The detentions follow a broader government push to extract higher tax payments and revenue shares from foreign mining companies operating in the country.
Barrick Gold denies the charges and is negotiating with Mali to resolve a $417 million tax dispute and finalize a new agreement governing economic benefits and legal frameworks.
Earlier this month, the CEO of Australian miner Resolute Mining and two employees were detained in Mali but released after the company agreed to pay $160 million in disputed taxes.
Analysts suggest Mali's actions, including retroactive application of new mining regulations, could deter foreign investment and potentially favor partnerships with Russian entities active in the region.