Resolute Mining flags lower production amid Mali 'security challenges'
Resolute Mining Ltd on Friday warned that second-quarter production will fall short of guidance due to political turmoil in Mali.
The Perth, Australia-based company targeting African gold flagged ‘logistical and supply chain disruptions that have developed over the past four weeks due to the significant security challenges experienced in Mali in late April and May 2026’.
‘The majority of operational challenges are a result of delays in delivery of key equipment to mine the higher-grade sulphide ore zones within the A21 open pit. This is due to road insecurity in parts of Mali,’ Resolute explained.
Second-quarter gold output from the Syama mine will be lower than planned, totalling around 30,000 ounces, compared with the target range of 40,000 ounces to 45,000 ounces. Full-year production is forecast at the lower end of guidance, which ranges 195,000 ounces to 210,000 ounces.
Recent underground operations have resulted in lower than expected gold grades, due to intermittent blasting and a disrupted supply of explosives.
A three-week maintenance shutdown of Resolute’s sulphide plan and roaster which had been planned in May has been deferred to mid-June, and has been extended by one week to allow for additional ‘preventative’ actions.
‘Processing optimisation initiatives are underway to improve overall plant throughput throughout the remainder of the year,’ Resolute added.
The miner stressed it had ‘responded swiftly’ to the disruptions, and that it ‘expects production to improve as access to higher-grade ore sources is restored, and the in-country security situation continues to stabilise.’
Since taking power in a 2020 coup, Mali’s ruling junta has relied on Russian mercenaries, and their operations have been widely criticised by rights groups, AFP has reported.
According to data analysed by AFP from conflict monitor ACLED, Malian government operations since 2020 have caused more than 8,500 deaths, about half of them civilians.
Suspected jihadists have killed at least 25 people in coordinated attacks on five villages in central Mali, local and administrative sources told AFP on May 22.
Resolute Chief Executive Chris Eger commented on Friday: ‘Recent performance at Syama has been below expectations despite the significant changes implemented in Mali. These issues are well understood, and our focus is on stabilising operations and restoring consistent performance.
‘Importantly, the broader business continues to perform well. The company remains cash generative, supporting ongoing investment in growth, including the Doropo development, which continues to progress to plan.’
Doropo is Resolute’s Ivory Coast project. The company also said stockpile processing at the Mako site in Senegal is on track with annual guidance.
Resolute shares fell 6.4% to 60.12 pence on Friday morning in London, having closed 5.0% lower at A$1.14 in Sydney.
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