Australian gold mining company Resolute Mining Ltd. has confirmed the detention of its Chief Executive Officer, Terry Holohan, in Mali, West Africa, by the nation’s military-led government. Holohan and two other company executives were reportedly detained following discussions with local mining and tax officials in Mali’s capital, Bamako, on Friday. The company’s statement on Sunday described the detention as ‘unexpected’ and expressed concerns over the escalating challenges international mining firms are facing in Mali under the current administration.
This development adds to a string of recent arrests targeting foreign mining officials, including employees of Barrick Gold Corp., as Mali’s government intensifies efforts to exert more control over its mineral wealth. Barrick saw four of its staff detained in October. These actions come amid wider economic pressures and Mali’s ambitions to increase its share of profits from the country’s lucrative gold mining sector, a vital component of its economy.
Resolute Mining has made substantial investments in Mali, particularly in its Syama mine located in the country’s southeast, where a second operational phase is expected by 2025. The government holds a 20 percent interest in this project, which currently processes around 2.4 million tonnes of ore annually. Despite Mali’s ongoing efforts to renegotiate mining contracts, including those with companies such as B2Gold Corp., Allied Gold Corp., and AngloGold Ashanti Plc, officials have previously stated these new regulations would apply solely to fresh agreements and renewals.
As Mali remains isolated from regional financial markets and faces economic sanctions, its government is seeking to extract greater value from mineral exports. In response, Resolute has emphasised its compliance with all regulatory demands and its commitment to safeguarding its workforce while working to secure the long-term future of its Malian operations. A Malian official from the mining ministry declined to provide further comment on the detention.
Holohan’s detention signals rising tensions as international companies balance investment interests with Mali’s shifting regulatory landscape under its military regime.
