France, Nov. 18 -- Australia's Resolute Mining said Monday it has struck a deal worth $160 million (€151 million) with the military government of Mali, after the company's CEO and two other executives were "unexpectedly detained".

The three men were arrested earlier this month after travelling to the capital Bamako for what they thought were routine negotiations with the ruling junta.

Instead, British chief executive Terence Holohan and two of his colleagues were "unexpectedly detained" for questioning.

Resolute said it would pay the Malian government $80 million (€75 million) from "existing cash reserves", with a further payment of $80 million in the "coming months".

Since seizing power, Mali's leaders have vowed to claw ...