Dec 18 (Reuters) - Canadian miner Barrick Gold ( GOLD )

said on Wednesday it had submitted an arbitration request to the

International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes, to

settle a disagreement with Mali over its Loulo-Gounkoto gold

mine complex.

Barrick, the world's second-largest gold miner based on

production, and the Mali junta have been in dispute since 2023

over a contract for Barrick based on the country's new mining

rules. The fight has led to several levels of escalation,

including Mali issuing an arrest warrant for Barrick CEO Mark

Bristow this month. Barrick owns 80% of Loulo-Gounkoto, with the

Mali government owning 20%.

The miner this week threatened to suspend operations in Mali

over deteriorating mine conditions. Jefferies analysts wrote in

a note this week that closure of the mine would reduce Barrick's

earnings before interest, taxes, and amortization by 11% next

year.