TORONTO, Nov 7 (Reuters) - Barrick Gold ( GOLD ), the

world's No. 2 miner, is confident of concluding talks for a new

mining code with Mali's junta-led government before the end of

the year, CEO Mark Bristow told Reuters on Thursday.

Talks between Toronto-based Barrick with the authorities in

Mali on how to implement new mining rules governing its

Loulo-Gounkoto mining complex, one the biggest gold mines in

Mali, have dragged on for months.

The West African country is demanding about $500 million in

unpaid taxes from Barrick, Reuters reported citing sources, as

the government tries to wring more income from the sector, which

is dominated by gold miners, to shore up state revenues as

prices of the precious metal rally.