Tanzania will no longer allow Acacia Mining to manage its mines in the country and will only work with the company’s parent, Barrick, to resolve the two-year impasse that has stymied operations.
President and CEO Mark Bristow said the company expected to complete a feasibility study for the project, which could extend the life of the mine into the 2030s.
The $285-million takeover bid, considered by some analysts and Acacia’s minority shareholders as low, would see the world's second largest gold producer buying the remaining 35% of the African miner it does not already own, at a discount.
The tax was first mooted in 2010 but has been postponed at least three times after mining companies, steelmakers and state-owned power utility Eskom said it would erode profit and push up electricity prices.