Barrick Gold signs agreement with Mali to end mining dispute, Reuters says

Canadian miner Barrick Gold (GOLD) has signed a new agreement with the Malian government to end an almost two-year-old dispute over its mining assets in the West African country, two people familiar with the developments told Reuters on Wednesday. Barrick signed the agreement and now it is up to the Mali government to formally approve the deal, the sources told Reuters. An official announcement could come as early as Thursday, the publication says. As part of the new agreement, Barrick will pay $438M to the Mali government, in return for the release of detained employees, seized gold, and restarting the operations at the Loulo-Gounkoto mine.