Barrick Mining reaches deal with unions at Mali gold mine, easing strike threat
GOLD•Barrick Mining signed a new collective bargaining agreement with unions at its Loulo-Gounkoto gold mine in Mali, and strike action has been called off.
1. Agreement ends strike threat
Barrick Mining signed a new collective bargaining agreement with unions representing workers at its Loulo-Gounkoto gold mine in western Mali, a company spokesperson and a union official said. The union official said the agreement was reached on September 21 and strike action has since been called off; the unions had submitted 15 demands.
2. Earlier labor tensions
Earlier in September, unions at Somilo and Gounkoto said they would strike at the end of the month unless demands involving overtime pay, mission expenses and labor agreements were met. Separate strike notices were also submitted by catering and support staff contractor Food & Events Africa and workers in Mali’s mining regulator and other mining administration agencies.
3. Background to the dispute
Mali and Barrick resolved a dispute over profit-sharing and control of the Loulo-Gounkoto complex in November last year after two years of negotiations. Barrick temporarily suspended operations in January last year after Malian authorities arrested employees and issued an arrest warrant for former CEO Mark Bristow over alleged financial crimes.
