by Nurat Uthman
Barrick Gold will suspend operations in Mali if gold shipments continue to be blocked, the company said on Monday as it struggles to reach agreement with authorities on a new mining code in the West African country.
Conditions at the gold miner’s Loulo-Gounkoto complex have “deteriorated significantly”, Barrick said, adding that employees have been imprisoned without cause and shipments of bullion have been blocked.
“If shipments remain suspended, Barrick will be compelled to suspend operations, further impacting the viability of this critical economic driver for Mali,” the company said.
