**Title:** Barrick Gold Subcontractors Face Layoffs Amid Ongoing Dispute
**Meta Description:** Subcontractors at Barrick Gold’s Mali operations are laying off staff due to a prolonged dispute with the government, raising concerns over job security.
**URL Slug:** barrick-gold-subcontractors-layoffs-dispute-mali
**Headline:** Subcontractors at Barrick Gold’s Mali Operations Face Liquidation and Job Losses Amid Ongoing Dispute
In a significant development affecting Barrick Gold’s operations in Mali, at least four subcontractors are laying off hundreds of employees due to a prolonged dispute between the Canadian mining giant and the Malian government. This situation has escalated over the past two years, with some subcontractors reporting they have not received payments from Barrick for several months.
The conflict centers around Barrick’s Loulo-Gounkoto complex, a crucial gold production site for the company and the largest mining operation in Mali. Operations at this complex have been halted since January, following the government’s seizure of approximately 3 metric tons of gold, which the government claims is due to Barrick’s failure to meet tax obligations. Since early November, the Malian government has blocked the company’s gold exports, further complicating the situation.
Boart Longyear’s local subsidiary, BLY Mali, announced its liquidation in a letter dated April 21, citing the suspension of its contract with Barrick on January 25 as the reason for its “irremediably compromised situation.” BLY Mali employed 98 people at the complex as of March.
ETASI, a heavy equipment rental company, also indicated in a letter dated April 19 that it would suspend all personnel, having employed 68 individuals as of last month. Additionally, a work-placement firm representing ATC, a metal construction company, notified employees of layoffs following a temporary work stoppage that began earlier this year. ATC’s workforce dwindled from 45 employees in January to just four by March.
MAXAM, a civil explosives subcontractor, is expected to announce a temporary work stoppage for most of its employees in Mali soon. While internal documents list MAXAM as having 69 employees at the site, sources suggest the actual number is closer to 120 due to rotational work schedules.
Furthermore, Geneva-based subcontractor SGS has been granted a three-month temporary work suspension that began on February 1 and is set to expire next week.
The ongoing dispute highlights the uncertainty surrounding Barrick’s operations in Mali and the potential impact on hundreds of jobs. As the situation develops, the future of these subcontractors and their employees remains precarious.
**FAQ Section:**
**Q: What is causing the layoffs among subcontractors at Barrick Gold’s Mali operations?**
A: The layoffs are a result of a prolonged dispute between Barrick Gold and the Malian government, which has led to halted operations and unpaid contracts for subcontractors.