Mali gold mine: Barrick Mining reaches deal with unions

Canada-based Barrick Mining has concluded a fresh labour pact with unions at its Loulo-Gounkoto complex in western Mali, easing the risk of a walkout, Business Recorder reported, citing Reuters. The company confirmed the new agreement on Sunday, and a union official told Reuters that the planned walkout had been cancelled.

Bani Sacko, a union official at the complex, said a meeting on Monday the 21st ended in agreement. Following that session, the strike was dropped and, by his account, the other planned industrial actions were cancelled too. The unions had tabled 15 demands during the talks.

Bloomberg News had earlier carried the agreement, citing Abdoulaye Coulibaly of the National Union of Malian Workers, who said it covered staff at Food & Events Africa, Somilo SA and Gounkoto SA. Earlier this month, unions at Somilo and Gounkoto had warned of action in late September unless claims on overtime pay, mission expense repayments and the application of labour agreements were addressed.