Authorities in Mali have arrested four senior employees of a Canadian mining company as the military regime in the West African nation continues to detain workers to pressure companies in its crucial mining sector to pay millions in additional taxes.

Four employees of Canada's Barrick Gold have been charged and detained pending trial in Mali, the company said on Tuesday, as the military-led government strives to raise more money from mining companies.

Four Barrick Gold employees have been detained in Mali, a key gold producer, as its military-led government pushes for higher mining taxes. This incident reflects a growing trend of targeting foreign firms to enhance state revenue.

Four employees of Canada's Barrick Gold have been detained in Mali, two sources familiar with the matter said on Tuesday, as the military-led government strives to raise more money from mining companies.

Our attempts to find a mutually acceptable resolution have so far been unsuccessful, but we remain committed to engaging with the government.” -Mark Bristow

Four employees of Canada's Barrick Gold have been charged and detained pending trial in Mali, the company said on Tuesday, as the military-led government strives to raise more money from mining companies.

Barrick Gold (NYSE:GOLD) -0.9% in Tuesday's trading after saying four employees of its Loulo-Gounkoto mining complex in Mali have been charged and detained pending trial, as a dispute over its local mining operations escalates.