*

Mali claims Barrick Gold ( GOLD ) violated mine deal, warns of

legal

consequences

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Barrick denies allegations, claims active engagement with

Mali

since Sept. 30

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Mali junta has been pushing for higher state revenue share

(Adds statement from Malian ministries in paragraphs 3-6,

Barrick's response in 7-8, background in 2 to 9-11)

Oct 24 (Reuters) - Mali has accused Barrick Gold ( GOLD )

of failing to abide by commitments made in a recent

agreement, charges the Canadian miner denied on Thursday, saying

it did not accept any claims of wrongdoing.

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

Sept. 30 it had agreed with the government to resolve disputes

over the Loulo and Gounkoto gold mines, days after Malian

authorities briefly detained four Malian staff working for the

company.

But in a joint statement dated Oct. 23, Mali's economy and

mines ministries said Barrick had "not honoured the commitments

to which it subscribed in the agreement."

Without sharing further details, the ministries said the

breaches included those relating to environmental and corporate

social responsibility and foreign exchange rules.

They said there were "serious risks to the group's continued

operations in Mali, one of whose operating licenses expires at

the beginning of 2026."

"The Malian government has decided to draw all legal

consequences arising from the actions taken by Barrick Gold ( GOLD ),"

they said.

In response, Barrick denied the allegations and said since

Sept. 30 it had been actively engaged with the government to

reach a settlement that would include an increase in the state's

share of economic benefits from the Loulo-Gounkoto complex.

"While Barrick does not accept any claims of wrongdoing, it

has chosen to act in good faith as a long-standing partner of

Mali," it said in a statement, adding that the company had paid

the government $85 million in early October in the context of

ongoing negotiations.

Earlier this month, three sources told Reuters that Mali's

military government was seeking at least 300 billion CFA

francs ($512 million) in outstanding taxes and dividends from

Barrick.

Asked to comment at the time, a Barrick spokesperson said

the company was still in the process of negotiation.

The demands on Barrick follow an audit of mining contracts

last year and a subsequent push by the junta to renegotiate

existing agreements with foreign mining firms aimed at

channeling a greater share of revenues into state coffers

through a new mining code.