“Even before this increase, Barrick Gold was already the junta’s single biggest taxpayer,” the Blood Gold Report said by email on Tuesday in response to questions. “In the past year, the Malian junta has fallen even further under Russian influence, with predictable consequences for human rights. In January, Malian armed forces assisted by foreign military personnel executed at least 25 civilians, according to a United Nations report.”
Barrick Gold hasn’t replied to several emails from The Northern Miner seeking comment over the past month on the issue. MINING.COM reported earlier in April on the junta, which came to power in a coup in 2021, and its ties to Russia’s mercenary group Wagner.
The company under CEO Mark Bristow since 2019 has a strong record of respecting the countries where it operates. Its recent deals with Pakistan for the Reko Diq development give local state and national governments about half the $7…
