The Globe and Mail reports in its Saturday edition that Acacia Mining said that it could not immediately pay the $300-million that majority shareholder Barrick agreed to hand the government of Tanzania (all figures U.S.). A Reuters dispatch to The Globe says that Barrick on Thursday agreed with Tanzania that Acacia would hand over the money and a 16-per-cent stake in three of its mines and to split the "economic benefits" from those operations. The agreement appeared to be the first step toward a resolution of a months-long standoff that began in March, when the government banned exports of unprocessed minerals. In July, Acacia was served with a $190-billion bill for unpaid taxes, penalties and interest. However, Acacia said on Friday that it had not been presented with any formal proposal and was seeking more clarity on the agreement. "The first comment I would make is that Barrick is equally aware of our balance sheet as we are," said Acacia's chief financial officer, Andrew Wray, on a conference call with analysts. "We don't have the ability to make an upfront $300-million payment," Mr. Wray said, adding that a Barrick and government working group would need to come up with a solution.