Mali junta arrests four Barrick Gold employees over alleged financial crimes

Mali's military government has arrested four senior employees of Barrick Gold, a major Canadian mining company. The arrests are linked to alleged financial crimes, according to sources familiar with the situation. The arrests occurred on Wednesday, amid increasing pressure on international miners since the junta took power in 2020. Barrick Gold is one of Mali's top gold producers. Mali's authorities are pushing for a larger share of gold revenue through a new mining code. This shift is part of a broader strategy to strengthen ties with Russia while distancing from Western allies.