Barrick Gold has significantly reduced its operations in Mali due to an ongoing conflict with the Malian government, beginning in January 2025. The company suspended activities at its Loulo-Gounkoto complex following the government's seizure of roughly 3 metric tons of gold over alleged unpaid taxes. This suspension forced several subcontractors, such as Boart Longyear's BLY Mali, ETASI, ATC, MAXAM, and SGS, to lay off hundreds of employees due to non-payment and operational halts, affecting anywhere from dozens to over a hundred employees per firm, according to a report by Reuters.

Tensions heightened last year when Malian authorities blocked Barrick's gold exports and closed its Bamako office in November 2024. In a further escalation, the government has warned of potential seizure of the Loulo-Gounkoto mining site and has demanded both the reopening of the mine and the settlement of purportedly owed taxes, as detailed by the Financial Times.

Previously, Barrick Gold and the Malian government reached an agreement in September 2024 to resolve disputes related to the Loulo and Gounkoto gold mines. However, by the following month, Mali accused Barrick of breaching this agreement regarding environmental, corporate social responsibility, and foreign exchange regulations. Barrick has firmly denied these accusations, stating that it has complied in good faith, according to Mining Weekly. Meanwhile, Mali's industrial gold production saw a 23% decline in 2024, showcasing the broader impact of the ongoing disputes.