Strike Notices at Barrick's Loulo-Gounkoto Raise Disruption Risk in Mali

Unions representing workers at Mali's Loulo-Gounkoto gold complex, operated by Canada's Barrick Mining, have filed a series of strike notices, raising the prospect of labour disruption at one of the country's largest gold-producing operations from September 28.

According to documents seen on Friday, the notices cover employees of SOMILO SA, which runs the Loulo mine, and GOUNKOTO SA, operator of the neighbouring Gounkoto mine. Separate notices were submitted by unions at Food & Events Africa (FEA), a contractor providing catering and support services at the two sites, and by workers at Mali's mining regulator, the National Directorate of Geology and Mines, and other mining administration agencies.

The unions say the walkouts will go ahead unless management addresses demands concerning overtime pay, reimbursement of mission expenses and the implementation of labour agreements. Barrick and Mali's mines ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

At SOMILO and GOUNKOTO, workers have called four-day strikes from September 28 to October 1, citing management's failure to act on demands submitted in February. FEA unions have called five-day strikes from September 28 to October 2, accusing management of not honouring agreements on overtime pay, benefits and worker welfare. Unions at the mining regulator and other mining administration agencies have called a 72-hour strike from September 29 to October 1 over unpaid salaries, allowances and mining-sector bonuses.

The strike threats come as Mali, one of Africa's largest gold producers, continues to tighten its grip on the mining sector in pursuit of a larger share of revenues. The military-led government returned operational control of Loulo-Gounkoto to Barrick in December after placing the complex under temporary state administration during a dispute that lasted almost a year. Mining has resumed, but the ramp-up has been gradual: the complex produced about 190,000 ounces of gold in the first half of 2026, well below pre-dispute levels, according to Barrick.

In a parallel move, Mali is reopening its mining licensing regime after a freeze of more than two years linked to a clean-up of the mining cadastre. Authorities have renewed 14 gold and lithium exploration permits since August 21, covering eight companies including units of First Lithium and Cora Gold, according to decrees.