Barrick Gold Corp said on Wednesday it would work with the government of Tanzania to find a way for a gold export ban to be lifted on its Acacia Mining unit and was aiming for a final agreement in the first half of 2018.

The comments came in an earnings report from Barrick, which showed slightly weaker-than-expected third-quarter earnings due to lower production and gold prices as well as the impact of Acacia's halted exports.

The Canadian miner, which owns 63.9 per cent of Acacia, lowered the top-end of its 2017 production forecast range and raised the bottom-end of its cost outlook.

Barrick's stock dipped to US$15.65 in New York, from a closing price of US$15.75.

Barrick last Thursday said it had reached a framework deal to end a months-long dispute between Acacia and the Tanzanian government, which included the government getting a payment of $300 million from Acacia and a 16 per cent stake in Acacia's three in-country gold mines.

Barrick said on Wednesday the $300 million would be paid out of Acacia's "ongoing cash flows," meaning payment would depend on Acacia's ability to resume exports. Barrick and the east African country would look at setting up joint oversight and verification of concentrate shipments, the company said.

The government accuses Acacia of understating its gold shipments. Acacia has denied the allegations. The government in March banned unprocessed mineral exports as part of a push to reap greater rewards from the country's resources.