The company has paid $80m (A$122.97m) to the government from cash reserves, with another $80m over the coming months.

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.

Three executives of the Australian company Resolute Mining were arrested this month. Mali, a major African gold producer, has been trying to increase its share of mining profits lately.