By: Reuters

The boss of a Perth-based mining company who has been detained in Africa has not been harmed and is "being looked after," according to WA's Premier.

The African-focused gold miner, Resolute Mining, has confirmed three of its executive employees, including CEO Terence Holohan, have been detained in Mali by government officials.

Resolute said the executives were in Mali's capital Bamako to hold discussions with mining and tax authorities regarding Resolute's "in-country business practices, and to progress open claims made against Resolute, which the company maintains are unsubstantiated".

"Following the conclusion of these meetings on Friday, November 8 … the three employees were unexpectedly detained," Resolute said in a statement to the ASX this morning.

"Resolute's priority remains the safety and wellbeing of its employees.

"The company is in regular communication with the three detained employees who remain held at the Economic and Financial Centre of Bamako."

Resolute has an 80 per cent stake in the Syama Gold Mine.

Premier Roger Cook said Perth miner Terry Holohan had not come to harm and was being looked after.

"It does underpin and underscore just how risky these jurisdictions are when it comes to undertaking these industries," Mr Cook said.