Archive · 19 Sep 2026
Unions Threaten Strikes at Barrick’s Mali Gold Complex
Several worker groups in Mali may stop working at the end of September.
The workers are connected to Barrick Mining’s Loulo-Gounkoto gold complex and related services.
They say they are owed overtime payments, expense reimbursements, allowances or benefits.
Mine workers plan to strike from September 28 to October 1.
Catering and support workers plan to strike from September 28 to October 2.
Some government mining staff also plan a 72-hour strike over unpaid salaries and bonuses.
Barrick and Mali’s mines ministry had not responded to requests for comment.
The possible strikes come while Mali is seeking greater control and revenue from its mining industry.
Unions representing workers at Barrick Mining’s Loulo-Gounkoto complex have issued strike notices beginning September 28.
Mine workers cited disputes over overtime pay, mission-expense reimbursements and implementation of labour agreements.
SOMILO SA and GOUNKOTO SA each called four-day strikes from September 28 to October 1.
Food & Events Africa workers announced a five-day strike, while mining administration staff called a 72-hour strike.
Loulo-Gounkoto produced about 190,000 ounces of gold in the first half of 2026 as Mali renewed 14 exploration permits.
- Who
- Unions representing workers at SOMILO SA, GOUNKOTO SA, Food & Events Africa, and Mali’s mining administration agencies.
- What
- The unions issued notices threatening strikes over pay, expenses, benefits and labour-agreement disputes.
- When
- The threatened strikes are scheduled to begin between September 28 and September 29 and last from 72 hours to five days.
- Where
- The Loulo-Gounkoto gold complex and related mining agencies in Mali.
- Why
- Workers cited unpaid overtime, mission expenses, salaries, allowances, mining-sector bonuses, benefits and unfulfilled labour agreements.
Unions and Workers
Management and Authorities
Strike demands
Unions and Workers
Workers say management has not addressed demands involving overtime pay, mission expenses, benefits, welfare and labour agreements.
Management and Authorities
Barrick Mining and Mali’s mines ministry had not responded to requests for comment, so their position on the demands was not stated.
Mining-sector control
Unions and Workers
Mining administration workers are also threatening action over unpaid salaries, allowances and sector bonuses.
Management and Authorities
Mali’s military-led government has tightened control of mining, temporarily administered the complex during its dispute with Barrick and is reopening licensing after a more than two-year freeze.
- Main operation
- Loulo-Gounkoto gold complex, operated by Barrick Mining in Mali.
- Mine-worker strikes
- SOMILO SA and GOUNKOTO SA each announced four-day strikes from September 28 to October 1.
- Support-worker strike
- Food & Events Africa unions called a strike from September 28 to October 2.
- Government-worker strike
- Mining administration unions called a 72-hour strike from September 29 to October 1.
- Gold production
- Loulo-Gounkoto produced about 190,000 ounces in the first half of 2026.
- Licensing activity
- Mali renewed 14 gold and lithium exploration permits since August 21.
- Ownership dispute
- Mali returned operational control of Loulo-Gounkoto to Barrick in December after temporary state administration.