Barrick Mining (TSX: ABX) is facing strike notices from several unions at its Loulo-Gounkoto gold complex in Mali. Documents show that mine workers, catering and logistics staff, and employees of Mali’s mining regulatory and administrative bodies are considering walkouts beginning as early as September 28. Any industrial action could disrupt the operating recovery at one of the country’s key gold-producing assets after a prolonged labor and government dispute.
SOMILO and GOUNKOTO plan four-day walkouts
Unions representing employees of SOMILO SA and GOUNKOTO SA have submitted separate strike notices. The companies operate the Loulo and adjacent Gounkoto mines, respectively, and the unions plan to stop work from September 28 through October 1.
The unions say management has not resolved demands submitted in February. The issues include overtime payments, reimbursement of travel and assignment expenses, and implementation of labor agreements. The documents indicate that the walkouts could still be avoided if the outstanding demands are addressed before the proposed start date.
Loulo-Gounkoto is one of Barrick’s core assets in Mali. A stoppage or shortage of personnel could affect mining, processing and on-site support operations, although there was no indication at the time of publication that the complex had entered a full shutdown.
Catering and logistics staff issue separate notice
The union representing employees of Food & Events Africa, or FEA, which provides catering and support services at Loulo and Gounkoto, has issued a separate five-day strike notice covering September 28 to October 2.
Those employees are seeking action on overtime pay, benefits and worker welfare arrangements. Because FEA handles daily catering and support services at the mine sites, a strike could affect operations even if core production crews remain at work.
Unions representing employees of Mali’s National Geology and Mining Directorate and other mining administration bodies are also planning a 72-hour strike from September 29 to October 1. Their complaints include unpaid wages, allowances and bonuses for mining-sector employees. The proposed action would overlap partly with the stoppage dates set out by the Loulo-Gounkoto unions and could affect the wider regulatory and administrative system supporting the sector.
Barrick and Mali’s mining ministry had not immediately responded to requests for comment when the information was released. It therefore remained unclear whether management had opened new talks with the unions or put contingency production plans in place.
Output remains below pre-dispute levels
The strike notices come after an almost year-long dispute between Barrick and Mali’s government. The military-led administration placed Loulo-Gounkoto under temporary state management before returning operational control to Barrick in December last year. Production subsequently resumed, but the recovery has been gradual.
Barrick’s figures show that Loulo-Gounkoto produced about 190,000 ounces of gold in the first half of 2026, well below pre-dispute levels. For Barrick, another labor dispute could add uncertainty to the production recovery. For Mali, the stability of the complex also affects gold exports and government revenue from mining.
Mali resumes selected mining permits
Mali is one of Africa’s major gold producers, and the government has been tightening its control of the mining industry in an effort to increase the state’s share of resource revenues. The country suspended new mining permits for more than two years while it overhauled its mining-rights registration system.
As the permitting regime reopened, authorities had renewed 14 gold and lithium exploration permits through decrees issued since August 21. The permits cover eight companies, including subsidiaries of First Lithium and Cora Gold.
With mining permits gradually being restored while Loulo-Gounkoto remains in a production recovery phase, the unions’ demands over overtime, wages, allowances and labor-agreement enforcement are becoming a key factor in assessing the asset’s near-term operating stability. The proposed strike dates, durations and demands are defined, but whether they result in an actual shutdown—and how much production would be affected—depends on the outcome of further labor negotiations.