Barrick to halt Mali mine amid fresh export restrictions

Barrick Gold (NYSE:GOLD)(TSX:ABX) is facing mounting challenges at its Loulo-Gounkoto mining complex in Mali, as the country has extended its ban on exporting gold to include the site’s on-hand stock of the precious metal.

The fresh restriction, the world’s second-largest gold miner said on Monday, further disrupts operations and casts uncertainty over the future of one of Mali’s most significant mining ventures.

Barrick’s president and chief executive, Mark Bristow, voiced strong opposition to the order, deeming it “unwarranted” and contrary to the dispute resolution mechanisms agreed upon with the Malian government.

The Canadian mining giant has been embroiled for months in a dispute with the government over the division of economic benefits from the Loulo-Gounkoto complex, which in 2023 produced nearly 700,000 ounces of gold. Shipments of gold have been restricted since early December.

“The inability to ship gold not only affects operations but has broader implications for the local economy, the 8,000 employees, and the many local service providers,” Bristow said. He warned that if the issue is not resolved within a week, Barrick will be forced to temporarily suspend operations— a move he described as “deeply regrettable but necessary.”

Barrick submitted in December a request for arbitration through the International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), while seeking to negotiate a memorandum of agreement with the Malian government. This document aims to resolve disputes, redefine their partnership, and increase the state’s share of the benefits from Loulo-Gounkoto.

Despite these efforts, tensions remain high. The situation is further complicated by the continued detention of several Malian employees of Barrick on what the company describes as “unfounded charges.”

Shaky ground

The blockade of gold shipments and the tense standoff with authorities come at a critical time for Mali’s mining industry. As the country navigates the complexities of political instability and a revamped regulatory framework, the fate of one of its most significant economic drivers hangs in the balance.

Barrick’s Loulo-Gounkoto complex, developed during Bristow’s tenure as CEO of Randgold before its acquisition by Barrick in 2018, is a cornerstone of Mali’s economy. Over the past 29 years, the company has invested more than $10 billion in the country, contributing between 5% and 10% of Mali’s GDP annually. Last year alone, Barrick injected over $1 billion into the local economy.

The mine complex is also one of Mali’s largest taxpayers and employers, with 97% of its 8,000-strong workforce being Malian nationals. According to Barrick, more than 70% of the economic benefits from the complex have gone directly to the Malian state.

“We are committed to dialogue and finding a mutually acceptable resolution that allows us to secure the future of Loulo-Gounkoto as a vital economic contributor to Mali,” Bristow reiterated.