An ongoing dispute over ownership stakes in Barrick’s operation in Mali has led to the arrest of mining officials, the government’s gold seizure and the company’s shutdown of its mine.

"Barrick Gold suspends operations in Mali after $245m gold seizure" was originally created and published by Mining Technology, a GlobalData owned brand.

Shares of Barrick Gold were last seen 0.3% higher at $15.75, but remain down 21.1% over the past three months. GOLD faces resistance at the $16 level and its 30-day moving average, though the $15 mark has recently provided support to limit further losses.

Mali's military government is holding gold seized from Barrick Gold's Loulo-Gounkoto mine site at state-owned Banque Malienne de Solidarite (BMS), two sources said, as the miner pursues plans to suspend its operations in the country.

Mali’s military government has started seizing gold stocks of the Canadian mining company Barrick as part of a legal battle over the share of revenue owed to the West African state, according to an internal Barrick letter seen by The Associated Press.

Malian authorities have confiscated about 3 metric tons of gold from Barrick Gold's Loulo-Gounkoto mining site due to an ongoing dispute. The gold, valued at $245 million, is now held at Banque Malienne de Solidarite.