Company had to halt mining and processing at Youga last week over disagreements between workers and a proposed open pit mining contractor.

Mopani could not immediately say what impact the shutdown would have on production, which totalled 119,000 tonnes of finished copper in 2018.

Barrick must either firm up its proposal to acquire the 36.1% of Acacia it does not own by June 18, or walk away for at least six months under British takeover law.

The head of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s state mining company will no longer exercise control over the business, despite being reappointed to the post last month.

The world's top platinum miners are bracing for a fresh round of negotiations with South African workers as a rise in profits is likely to provoke higher wage demands from labour unions.

Odey sees a takeover of Acacia as the only logical way forward for Barrick.

Among its aims are "the exploration, exploitation and commercialisation of minerals", forest logging, security, transport, construction and "all financial, investment and project financing operations.

“Companies are performing well and we are confident they can accommodate our demands”