TORONTO (miningweekly.com) – Africa-focused gold producer Randgold Resources on Monday said its Loulo-Gounkoto gold mining complex, as well as its Morila joint venture were operating normally following the declaration of a state of emergency in Mali over the weekend, as French forces joined the Malian army in putting down an Islamist incursion in the north of the country.
The company said the Randgold operations are in safe areas some 700 km away from conflict zones and have not been affected by any of the issues that have afflicted Mali over the last ten months, including the recent attacks by rebels in the north of the country.
CE Mark Bristow said the company was nevertheless monitoring the situation closely and had put contingency plans in place to ensure that it continued to contribute to the economy of Mali while protecting Randgold’s people and property.
“Should the current military build-up impact on logistics, both operations are well-stocked with fuel and other consumables,” the company said in a statement.
Once an example of democracy and development in turbulent West Africa, Mali was plunged into crisis by a March 2012 coup which saw Tuareg rebels seize the country's north, demanding an independent homeland; but their rebellion was hijacked by Islamists.
Bickering in the southern capital among Mali's political elite over the duration and a roadmap to end the post-coup transition, is causing paralysis and hurting efforts to unite the country.
No other mining company had reported security issues late Monday afternoon.