Mali Court Rejects Barrick’s Appeal to Free Detained Employees

The standoff between Barrick Gold and Mali’s military government continues to intensify as a Malian court has officially rejected the mining company’s appeal to release four detained employees. This legal setback marks a critical development in an increasingly complex dispute that has significant implications for both the mining giant and Mali’s economy.

The employees have been held in pre-trial detention since November 2024, with the court decision extending their incarceration indefinitely. This situation represents the latest chapter in a deteriorating relationship between one of the world’s largest gold miners and a resource-rich West African nation under military rule.