Circuitous route of Airbus's investment in Mali gold mine draws Swiss scrutiny

London

THE Kodieran gold deposit in Mali has never produced much gold beyond the specks that locals panned from this remote corner of Africa, but yet, the mine gained in 2012 a curious shareholder - Airbus.

The French aviation giant bought its stake in a roundabout way, moving 15 million euros from an internal fund through a series of entities in the British Virgin Islands, Luxembourg, Switzerland and Germany. Its foray into mining didn't pan out, however; the company ultimately lost almost all its investment.

Its core business fared better. It sealed its first contract w…