Mali Junta Detains Resolute Mining Executives Amid Mining Sector Tension

Mali's military junta has detained three executives of Australia's Resolute Mining, including CEO Terence Holohan, amid an unspecified dispute. This arrest reflects ongoing tensions in Mali's foreign-dominated mining sector, which is under increasing scrutiny by military authorities seeking to maximize revenues.

The military junta in Mali has made headlines by arresting three top executives of Australia's Resolute Mining during their visit to discuss an undisclosed dispute, the company announced on Monday.

Among the detained is Terence Holohan, the chief executive, who was taken into custody last Friday in Bamako, the capital. Andrew Wray, Resolute's non-executive chairman, expressed in a statement that these executives were unexpectedly detained following talks regarding claims made against the company, without providing further details. Three days post-arrest, no explanation for their continued detention has surfaced.

Resolute Mining operates the Syama gold mine, holding a significant share, while the rest is owned by Mali's government. The incident underscores the growing tensions in Mali's mining sector, notorious for being foreign-dominated. It follows the recent detention of Canadian company Barrick Gold employees. Resolute insists the claims are unfounded, with support from foreign embassies, including the UK's, as the mining sector faces increased pressure from the ruling military, in power since 2020, to boost revenues.

(With inputs from agencies.)