Mali's government has begun enforcing a provisional order to seize gold stock at Barrick Gold's Loulo-Gounkoto site, the Canadian miner said in a note to Malian staff, warning again that it may have to suspend operations at the complex.

An ongoing dispute over ownership stakes in Barrick’s operation in Mali has led to the arrest of mining officials, the government’s gold seizure and the company’s shutdown of its mine.

Barrick Gold Corporation’s GOLD shares have lost 21.1% in the past three months, underperforming the Zacks Mining – Gold industry’s 10.9% decline. GOLD’s shares are trading roughly 27% below its 52-week high of $21.

Barrick Gold (TSX:ABX) confirmed the suspension of its operations at the Loulo-Gounkoto mining complex in Mali following the Malian government’s decision to move the site’s gold stock to a custodial bank ・This action,

Canada's Barrick Gold said on Monday it would suspend operations in Mali if the country does not lift restrictions on gold shipments within the coming week, as the mining group faces what sources told Reuters amounted to a confiscation order.

Barrick Gold Corp. closed C$6.81 below its 52-week high of C$29.50, which the company achieved on October 21st.