Canadian mining giant Barrick Gold has announced a suspension of its operations in Mali due to a protracted dispute with the country’s military government over alleged unpaid taxes. The company claims that the Malian authorities have seized gold from its Loulo-Gounkoto complex and transferred it to a custodial bank,

Mali's government has begun enforcing a provisional order to seize gold stock at Barrick Gold's Loulo-Gounkoto site, the Canadian miner said in a note to Malian staff, warning again that it may have to suspend operations at the complex.

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 Corporation has halted its operations in Mali after the government seized gold stocks worth $245 million Cdn from the company's Loulo-Gounkoto complex.