Barrick Mining has reached a new collective bargaining agreement with unions representing workers at its Loulo-Gounkoto gold complex in western Mali, removing the immediate threat of strike action at one of the country’s major gold operations.
Barrick confirmed on Sunday that it had signed the agreement with the unions. Bani Sacko, a union official at the complex, told Reuters that workers had called off planned industrial action after an agreement was reached on 21 September. The unions had submitted 15 demands, according to Sacko. Reuters report
The dispute centred on employment-related issues including overtime payments, reimbursement of mission expenses and implementation of labour agreements. Workers employed by Food & Events Africa, a contractor providing catering and support services, had also issued a separate strike notice.
The agreement comes as Loulo-Gounkoto continues its recovery from a prolonged dispute between Barrick and Mali’s military-led government over the operation and the country’s revised mining framework. The complex was placed under provisional administration by a Malian court in June 2025 after the authorities and Barrick failed to resolve their differences over mining rules and state revenues.
The dispute was subsequently settled in November 2025, with Barrick and the government announcing an agreement intended to resolve outstanding issues and restore normal operations. Barrick’s announcement
The labour agreement therefore forms part of a broader effort to restore operational stability at the complex. Barrick owns 80% of Loulo-Gounkoto, with the Malian state holding the remaining 20%.
The developments also reflect Mali’s wider attempt to secure a greater share of the economic value generated by its mineral resources. The 2023 mining code increased the scope for state participation and introduced measures aimed at raising domestic revenues and strengthening local economic participation.
The International Monetary Fund has noted that mining remains central to Mali’s exports, fiscal revenues and wider economy, while also highlighting uncertainties surrounding implementation of the new mining framework and its potential implications for investment.
For Mali, continued production has implications beyond Barrick’s commercial interests, including employment, contractor activity and government revenues. For workers, the collective agreement provides a negotiated mechanism for addressing workplace concerns without disrupting operations.
The resolution removes an immediate source of uncertainty at Loulo-Gounkoto, although the longer-term relationship between Mali, international mining companies and organised labour will continue to depend on how the country’s evolving mining framework is implemented.
