Paulson & Co, which has a stake of about 6 percent in the miner, has pushed for Kenyon's resignation, saying the company had "unsuccessfully tried to boost short-term performance" including "questionably running up its accounts payable to exaggerate cash flows".

In a letter to shareholders on Thursday signed by Chairman Alex Morrison and other directors, Detour said it had "tried hard to settle with Paulson," but was unable to reach an agreement.

The miner also recommended appointing two of Paulson's nominees, Steven Feldman and Christopher Robison, to its board, saying they have the backing of two of its largest shareholders

The company did not disclose the names of the shareholders.

Detour is under pressure from two other investors, hedge fund Livermore Partners and investment company Coast Capital Management L.P., to overhaul its board and consider a sale.

Shareholders have until Dec. 7 to vote on nominees.

(Reporting by Shanti S Nair in Bengaluru)