Jan 13 (Reuters) - Mali's government has begun enforcing

a provisional order to seize gold stock at Barrick Gold's ( GOLD )

Loulo-Gounkoto site, the Canadian mining company said in a note

to staff in the West African country.

A Barrick employee in Mali confirmed the authenticity of the

letter seen by Reuters. Speaking on condition of anonymity, the

employee said it was sent to staff on Sunday.

(Reporting by Portia Crowe and Fadimata Kontao

Writing by Alessandra Prentice

Editing by David Goodman

)