The Resolute 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. Following the conclusion of these meetings on Friday, November 8, the three employees, including the company’s CEO Terence Holohan, were unexpectedly detained.

On November 18, Resolute confirmed that it was “working with the government on the remaining procedural steps for the release of the three employees.” The company noted that operations on site continue as normal and have not been impacted. The company executed a memorandum of understanding, expressed as a “protocol,” that sets the framework for further discussions with the government regarding the long-term future of its operations, including migration of the company’s assets in Mali to the 2023 Malian Mining Code and maintaining the safety of the company’s employees. The protocol also provides that all outstanding claims by the Malina government against the company, including those related to tax, customs levies, maintenance and management of offshore accounts are settled.

On November 26, Barrick reported that four employees from its Loulo-Gounkoto mining complex had been charged by the Malian government and detained pending trial. While Barrick refutes these charges, it said it would continue to engage with the Malian government to find an amicable dispute settlement that would ensure the long-term sustainability of the complex.