An Australian mining company, Resolute Mining, has agreed to pay Mali’s government $160 millions to settle a tax dispute. The company was operating in Mali and had significant back taxes it was refusing to pay. As we have seen before, many of these multinationals operate in many African countries, particularly French-speaking ones, without paying any taxes to local governments. This is an ongoing issue in many countries, where the multinationals operate freely, and pay taxes in their home countries, thus giving almost nothing to local governments and as we saw in the case of Niger, paying almost nothing for the resources. The Malian government arrested the British boss of Resolute Mining, Terry Holohan, and his 2 collaborators for 10 days at the end of which Holohan agreed to pay $80 millions immediately, and the remainder over some time. The Western media are in uproar about this, stating that Malians have used blackmail, and unorthodox methods. Quick question: What happens in Western countries, when someone does not pay taxes? Just ask Lauryn Hill or Wesley Snipes or Robert T. Brockman, to name a few … they will tell you that they ended up in jail! So why should it be different in Africa? Why is it okay for these multinationals to operate in our countries with carte blanche? Should they not be held to the same standards?
Excerpts below are from the BBC.
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An Australian mining company, Resolute Mining, says it will pay Mali’s military government $160m (£126m) to settle a tax dispute, after the company’s British boss and two other staff were unexpectedly detained 10 days ago.
Reports say Terry Holohan and his colleagues were arrested while travelling to the capital city, Bamako, … Resolute, which owns a gold mine in Mali, said on Sunday it would pay $80m immediately from existing cash reserves, and the rest in the coming months.
Mali is one of Africa’s top gold producers. …
Part of the conditions for their release were that they must sign the memorandum of understanding and complete the initial payment, …
… Since taking power in a coup in 2021, Mali’s junta has sought to reconfigure its political and trade relationships with international partners.
Last year, President Col Assimi Goïta signed into law a new mining code increasing the maximum stake for state and local investors from 20% to 35%.
African Heritage 
Mali’s victory in the $160 million gold mining dispute is a significant step for the nation, showcasing its commitment to protecting its resources and asserting its rights. This ruling could set a precedent for future negotiations in the mining sector, emphasizing the importance of fair agreements. It’s a pivotal moment for Mali’s economy!
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Hello Beruki,
Mali’s victory has already set a precedent. On Thursday, Malawi announced that it is suing a US-based gemstone company, Columbia Gem House, over unpaid taxes and royalties related to ruby exports over the past decade. They are suing for a staggering $309 billion; they will most likely not get that amount, but I think some of the unpaid taxes and royalties will be returned. However, in the case of Malawi, if there is even an inkling of a mistake in the case, it could make it hard for other African countries to reclaim their due.
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