Three foreign executives from the Australian mining company Resolute, which operates a gold mine in Mali, were arrested in Bamako on Friday, AFP reported.
The executives were detained at a hotel in the Malian capital before being transferred to a specialised anti-corruption centre set up by the country’s military government.
A company official reportedly said the executives were questioned over alleged forgery and damage to public property. The official denied the allegations, adding that attempts to resolve the matter with investigators had been unsuccessful.
Resolute, which holds an 80 per cent stake in the Syama mine in southwestern Mali, has a minority partnership with the Malian government, which holds the remaining 20 per cent.
It also operates the Mako gold mine in Senegal and conducts exploration projects in Mali and neighbouring Guinea.
This Arrest follows a similar case in late September when four employees of the Canadian mining company Barrick Gold were detained briefly before being released.
After their release, Barrick reportedly agreed to pay a settlement of 50 billion CFA francs ($83 million). However, Malian authorities later said the company had not met its commitments and threatened further legal action.
Mali’s military-led government, which came to power in a 2020 coup, has increased its scrutiny of foreign mining companies, citing a focus on anti-corruption and efforts to tighten control over its mining sector.
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