A judge in Mali has placed Canadian mining company Barrick Gold under provisional administration in an ongoing dispute with the military government over alleged unpaid taxes

The permit for Loulo, where processing facilities are located, expires in February, shortly after the period of provisional administration is supposed to end. Barrick filed a renewal request four months ago, a spokesperson for the company said, adding that a separate license for Gounkoto runs for another 17 years.

A Mali court has ruled that gold mines held by Canadian giant Barrick Gold in the west of the country be managed for six months by an appointee, effectively baring the company from operating one of the largest gold complexes in the world.