By: Chioma Madonna Ndukwu
Mali’s military government has seized three tonnes of gold from Canadian mining giant Barrick Gold in the midst of a dispute over unpaid taxes.
This seizure, valued at approximately $180 million, comes after a legal battle over the company’s share of revenue owed to the West African state.
According to an internal letter from Barrick’s CEO Mark Bristow, the gold was taken from a mine near Kayes and transported to the capital, Bamako, on Saturday.
The move follows a warning issued by Mali’s senior investigating judge earlier in January, threatening to seize the gold if the dispute was not resolved.
Mali, which has faced significant challenges including militant violence and poverty, has been increasing pressure on foreign mining companies to pay higher taxes.
The gold confiscation is part of an ongoing effort to collect revenues from these companies, with Mali’s military government having arrested several Barrick executives in recent months.
Mali’s actions highlight the growing tensions between the government and international firms over resource extraction in the region.
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