The Australian miner agreed to settle a tax dispute as it seeks to secure the release of its chief executive and two other employees detained in the West African country.

Australia's Resolute Mining said on Monday that it would pay $160-million to Mali's government to help resolve a tax dispute after the West African country detained its CEO Terence Holohan and two other employees this month.

Resolute Mining will pay $160m in two payments to the Mali government as it strives to get its chief executive, Terry Holohan, and two other executives

In a bid to free three of its executives who have been detained in Mali over a tax dispute, Resolute Mining agrees to pay $US160 million ($242 million) to the African country's government.

ASX-listed gold miner’s chief executive and two other staff remain held by Malian authorities after ransom-style shakedown.

Resolute Mining has inked an agreement to hand over the money to ensure the release of its chief executive and two staff being held by Mali’s military junta.