Mali’s government and Barrick Gold will work together to solve the problems at the Loulo and Gounkoto gold mines

The government of Mali and Barrick Gold Corp (ABX.TO) have agreed to settle their claims and disagreements about the Loulo and Gounkoto gold mines in the West African country, the company said on Monday.

Two days ago, four Barrick workers were arrested by the Malian government. This statement from the world’s second-largest miner comes after that. A new mining agreement that would give Mali’s military-led government more power over its resources has been being talked over by the two sides. Mali is one of the biggest gold makers in Africa.

Barrick said that the agreement’s specifics would be made public as soon as the payment terms were set in stone.

The price of Barrick shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange was down 2% at 2:16 p.m. ET (1816 GMT).

Mark Bristow, CEO of Barrick Gold, said in a statement, “The current negotiations have been difficult, but we’re encouraged by the government’s recognition of how important it is to ensure the long-term viability of the Loulo-Gounkoto complex as a major contributor to the Malian economy.”

The Mali government could not be reached right away for comment.

Barrick said in July that it had put more than $10 billion into the Malian economy over the last 29 years.