About 3 metric tons of gold seized by authorities in Mali from Canadian miner Barrick Gold’s Loulo-Gounkoto mining complex is now being held at Malian state-owned Banque Malienne de Solidarite (BMS), two sources told Reuters.

Malian authorities have confiscated about 3 metric tons of gold from Barrick Gold's Loulo-Gounkoto mining site due to an ongoing dispute. The gold, valued at $245 million, is now held at Banque Malienne de Solidarite.

Canadian miner Barrick Gold said it will have to suspend mining operations in Mali after the government seized gold stocks from the company's Loulo-Gounkoto complex and flew them out by helicopter over the weekend.