Barrick Gold Employees Arrested in Mali; Settlement Still Sought With Government

By Adriano Marchese

Barrick Gold said that four of its employees in Mali have been arrested, but said it won't let this impede finding an resolution to its dispute with the government over contributions from the miner.

The Canadian mining company said that four of its employees at the Loulo-Gounkoto complex were charged and detained pending a trial.

"While Barrick refutes these charges, it said it would continue to engage with the Malian government to find an amicable dispute settlement that would ensure the long-term sustainability of the complex," the company said.

The Malian government previously said that Barrick Gold hadn't honored its commitments made under an agreement designed to achieve a more equitable distribution of mineral-resource exploitation.

On Tuesday, Chief Executive Mark Bristow said that since late September, the company has been actively seeking to finalize an agreement delineating Barrick's partnership with the government in future, including what share of the profits to which the state would be entitled.

Write to Adriano Marchese at [e-mail]

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

11-26-24 1235ET