Unions representing workers \u200bat the Loulo-Gounkoto gold complex in Mali, operated by Barrick Mining, have issued a series of \u200cstrike notices to management, raising the risk of labour disruptions from September 28 at one of Mali’s largest gold-producing operations, according to documents seen by Reuters on Friday.<\/p>\n
The notices were filed by unions representing mine workers at SOMILO SA and GOUNKOTO SA, \u200bwhich operate the mines at the complex.<\/p>\n
Separate strike notices were submitted by Barrick’s catering and \u200bsupport staff contractor Food & Events Africa (FEA) and workers in Mali’s mining regulator and other \u2060mining administration agencies.<\/p>\n
The unions said they would begin strike action towards the end of the month if demands \u200brelated to overtime pay, reimbursement of mission expenses and implementation of labour agreements were not met.<\/p>\n
Barrick and Mali’s Mines \u200bMinistry did not immediately respond to requests for comment.<\/p>\n
Mali, one of Africa’s largest gold producers, has been tightening its grip on the mining sector as it seeks a bigger share of revenues.<\/p>\n
The military-led government returned operational control of the \u200bLoulo-Gounkoto complex to Canadian miner Barrick in December after the government placed the complex under temporary state administration \u200bduring a dispute that lasted almost a year. While mining has resumed, the ramp-up has been gradual, with the complex producing \u200cabout \u2060190 000 ounces of gold in the first half of 2026, well below pre-dispute levels, according to Barrick.<\/p>\n
Workers at SOMILO SA, which operates the Loulo mine, and GOUNKOTO SA, operator of the neighbouring Gounkoto mine, have each called four-day strikes from September 28 to October 1, citing management’s failure to address demands submitted in February.<\/p>\n
Separately, unions representing \u200bworkers at Food & Events Africa (FEA), \u200bwhich provides catering and \u2060support services at Loulo and Gounkoto, have called five-day strikes from September 28 to October 2, accusing management of failing to honour agreements on overtime pay, benefits and \u200bworker welfare.<\/p>\n
Similarly, unions representing workers at Mali’s mining regulator, the National Directorate of \u200bGeology and Mines, \u2060and other mining administration agencies have called a 72-hour strike from September 29 to October 1 over unpaid salaries, allowances and mining-sector bonuses.<\/p>\n
The strike threats come as Mali reopens its mining licensing regime after a more than two-year \u2060freeze tied \u200bto a clean-up of the mining cadastre. Authorities have renewed 14 \u200bgold and lithium exploration permits since August 21, covering eight companies including units of First Lithium and Cora Gold, according to decrees.<\/p>\n
–Reuters–<\/p>\n
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