Barrick Mining reaches deal with Mali unions, averting strikes

Skip to Content News Archives Economy Energy Oil & Gas Renewables Electric Vehicles Mining Commodities Agriculture Real Estate Mortgages Mortgage Rates Finance Banking Insurance Fintech Cryptocurrency Work Wealth Smart Money Wealth Management Investor Personal Finance Family Finance Retirement Taxes High Net Worth FP Comment Executive Women Puzzmo Newsletters Financial Times Business Essentials More Innovation Information Technology FP500 Podcasts Small Business Lives Told Tails Told Shopping Financial Post Store Obituaries Place a Notice Advertising Advertising With Us Advertising Solutions Postmedia Ad Manager Sponsorship Requests Classifieds Place a Classifieds ad Working Profile Settings My Subscriptions My Offers Newsletters Customer Service FAQ News Economy Energy Mining Real Estate Finance Work Wealth Investor FP Comment Executive Women Puzzmo Newsletters Financial Times Business Essentials This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.HomeCommoditiesMiningBarrick Mining reaches deal with Mali unions, averting strikesThe Loulo-Gounkoto complex has been at the centre of a dispute with Mali’s ruling junta since 2023Author of the article:Last updated 28 minutes ago Mine workers walk on the residual dump at the Cominak mine near Arlit on March 8, 2023. Photo by OLYMPIA DE MAISMONT/AFP via Getty ImagesBarrick Mining Corp. has reached an agreement with unions representing workers at its Loulo-Gounkoto gold mining operation in western Mali, averting strikes planned to begin on Monday.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLYSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman, and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESCreate an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountThe deal was reached following talks involving unions representing workers at the Loulo-Gounkoto mine and at Food & Events Africa, a catering and support-services contractor, according to Abdoulaye Coulibaly of Mali’s National Workers’ Union, or UNTM.This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.“The strike threat has been resolved” and there’s an agreement involving workers at Food & Events Africa, Somilo SA and Gounkoto SA, Coulibaly said.A Barrick spokesperson declined to comment when reached by email.The Loulo-Gounkoto complex, near the border with Senegal, has been at the centre of a dispute with Mali’s ruling junta since 2023, when authorities introduced a new mining code aimed at increasing the state’s share of mining revenues.The standoff escalated in 2024 and 2025 when authorities arrested Barrick employees, demanded hundreds of millions of dollars in alleged unpaid dues, and eventually seized about three tons of gold from the company.Toronto-based Barrick suspended operations in January 2025 and took its dispute to international arbitration. Mali placed Loulo-Gounkoto under provisional state administration in June 2025 after months of failed negotiations.The mining company and the government reached a settlement in November, ending their legal dispute and restoring operational control to the company. Barrick subsequently resumed operations at the complex, which it said produced about 190,000 ounces of gold in the first half of 2026.Unions representing workers at Food & Events Africa had called a five-day strike from Sept. 28 over overtime payments and other grievances. Unions representing workers at Somilo and Gounkoto separately threatened four-day work stoppages over overtime pay, reimbursement of mission expenses, and implementation of labor agreements.This advertisement has not loaded yet.Notice for the Postmedia NetworkThis website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. 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