Canada's Barrick Gold said on Monday it would suspend operations in Mali if the country does not lift restrictions on gold shipments within the coming week, as the mining group faces what sources told Reuters amounted to a confiscation order.

The situation in Mali is further complicated by threats from Burkina Faso's junta to strip mining permits and the seizure of a French-run uranium site in Niger.

Barrick Gold Corp. said it will have to halt mining in Mali soon if the government doesn’t stop disrupting exports and operations at its mine.

Barrick Gold (NYSE:GOLD) -1.5% in early trading Monday after saying it will be forced to temporarily suspend operations at its Loulo-Gounkoto mine in Mali if its inability to ship gold from the mine is not resolved within the coming week.

Barrick Gold Corp. (GOLD) stock was down more than 1.5% in mid-day trading on Monday after the company issued a one-week ultimatum to Mali's government to lift restrictions on gold shipments. Otherwise,

The standoff in Mali, coupled with threats by Burkina Faso's military junta to revoke mining permits and the seizure of a French-operated uranium site in Niger, has raised concerns among Western mining companies.