Suspected jihadists attacked the Morila gold mine in Mali at the weekend, burning equipment and taking seven employees hostage before releasing them, an official from the mining ministry told Reuters on Monday.
The attack highlights mounting security risks in Mali, Africa's third-largest gold producer, which is battling al Qaeda-linked jihadists that have targeted economic assets and foreign investment.
Armed men on Saturday attacked the mine, for which US-based Flagship Gold signed an investment agreement last year, a spokesperson for Malis mines ministry and another person familiar with the matter said. They burned equipment and took seven employees hostage, but released them all the following evening, the people said.
