Randgold monitoring events in Mali

Loulo, Mali, 22 March  -  Randgold Resources said today it was keeping a close watch on developments in Mali, where elements of the army appear to have mounted a coup attempt.  

Chief executive Mark Bristow, who is at the company’s Loulo complex in the west of Mali some 350 kilometres from the capital Bamako, said the current state of affairs in the country was calm although exact details were unclear.  Randgold was in touch with its sources within the country and would make a statement once it had obtained more clarity on the situation.  In the meantime, he said, operations at Loulo and Gounkoto as well as at the company’s Morila joint venture were running normally.

“Malians respect laws and I don’t believe this will come with a high-handed change in political direction.  We don’t expect any subsequent governments to disregard proper and due process.” Bristow said.