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Australian gold miner Resolute has confirmed the company’s boss, along with two other executives, are being held by authorities in the military-ruled African state of Mali.
Resolute said in a statement to the Australian Stock Exchange its chief executive Terence Holohan and two other employees are being held in the Economic and Financial Centre of Bamako by authorities.
Resolute Mining chief executive Terry Holohan.Credit: Resolute website
The executives are being detained in Mali by government officials, but are safe and are receiving support on the ground from the UK and international embassies and consulates, the company said.
“The executives were in Bamako to hold discussions with the mining and tax authorities regarding general activities related to Resolute’s in-country business practices, and to progress open claims made against Resolute, which the company maintains are unsubstantiated,” it said.
The company said it is in regular communication with the three executives.
“Resolute’s priority remains the safety and well being of its employees.”
“The employees are being treated well … [and] the company is continuing to work with the government on a resolution and will provide further updates on the situation as appropriate,” Resolute said.
Mali’s constitutional democracy was overthrown in 2012 after a military coup. Another coup d’état in 2021 installed vice president Assimi Goïta, who is the country’s current ruler.
Gold-focused Resolute owns the Syama Gold Mine, a large-scale underground mine that it controls through a local subsidiary Société des Mines de Syama S.A. with an 80 interest. The other 20 per cent is held by the government of Mali.
The company also mines in eastern Senegal where it owns the open pit Mako Gold Mine.