Mali Issues Arrest Warrant for Barrick Gold CEO in Mining Dispute

The military-led government accuses Mark Bristow of financial crimes as tensions escalate over gold revenues and tax disputes.

Mali's government has issued arrest warrants for Barrick Gold CEO Mark Bristow and the local head of its Loulo-Gounkoto mine, accusing them of money laundering and financial violations.
The warrants are part of a broader effort by Mali's military junta to renegotiate mining contracts and demand higher revenue shares from foreign companies operating in the country.
Barrick Gold, which operates the critical Loulo-Gounkoto mining complex, has denied the allegations and stated its commitment to resolving disputes with the government.
The junta has detained multiple mining executives in recent months, including leaders from Barrick and Australia's Resolute Mining, pressuring companies to settle tax disputes totaling hundreds of millions of dollars.
Mali, Africa's fourth-largest gold producer, has strengthened ties with Russia and introduced policies to increase state control over mining operations, raising concerns among international investors.