Acacia Mining senior manager arrested for fraud by Tanzanian authorities

Acacia Mining's senior manager at its Tanzanian operations was arrested and charged on Tuesday by the Tanzanian Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau (PCCB).

The senior manager was charged as an additional accused to some of the 39 criminal charges brought by the PCCB earlier this month against an employee and a former employee of the company. The charges included tax evasion, forgery and money laundering.

The company said the charges brought forward by the government of Tanzania represented a significant escalation of pressure on Acacia Mining, as its dispute with authorities remained unresolved.

The PCCB told reporters the arrests were part of an "ongoing investigation into the natural resources exploitation and as part of the war that the government is waging in the minerals sector."

The company is continuing to reach out to the government to seek the opportunity for direct dialogue regarding the ongoing disputes between the government and Acacia Group.