Mali’s military-led government has arrested four senior Malian employees of Canadian mining giant Barrick Gold, according to two sources who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter.
The arrests, which reportedly took place on Wednesday, come amid growing pressure on international mining companies operating in Mali since a military junta seized power in 2020.
A government official based in the region said the four Barrick employees were arrested for alleged financial crimes. Barrick Gold, the world’s second-largest gold miner and one of Mali’s top gold producers, declined to comment on the arrests. Malian authorities could not be immediately reached for comment.
This development highlights the increasing tensions between Mali’s junta and international mining companies as the government seeks to exert greater control over the country’s valuable gold resources.
Mali, one of Africa’s biggest gold producers, has recently implemented a new mining code that allows the government to increase its ownership of gold concessions. This move is part of a broader policy shift aimed at channeling a larger share of gold revenue to state coffers.
The junta’s shake-up of the mining sector aligns with its wider strategy of distancing Mali from traditional Western allies, particularly France, while seeking closer diplomatic, security, and commercial ties with Russia.
In a significant move last year, Mali signed an agreement with Russia to construct a gold refinery in the capital, Bamako. The country also reached a deal with Russian state nuclear energy company Rosatom to explore for minerals and produce nuclear energy.
These arrests and policy changes reflect the complex challenges facing international mining companies operating in Mali’s evolving political and economic landscape. The situation raises questions about the future of foreign investment in Mali’s mining sector and the potential impact on the country’s economy.
