Barrick Mining, the Toronto-based gold and copper producer, has signed a new collective bargaining agreement with unions representing workers at its Loulo-Gounkoto gold complex in western Mali, removing the immediate threat of a strike at one of the country’s largest gold operations. A company spokesperson and union official confirmed the agreement Sunday, after weeks of negotiations over worker demands.

Bani Sacko, a union official at Loulo-Gounkoto, told Reuters the agreement was reached after a meeting Sept. 21 and that planned strike action had been called off. The unions had submitted 15 demands, while the agreement also covered workers at Somilo SA, Gounkoto SA and contractor Food & Events Africa.

The deal came days before workers were due to begin industrial action. Earlier in September, unions at Somilo and Gounkoto had threatened strikes over overtime pay, reimbursement of mission expenses and implementation of labor agreements. Separate notices involved Food & Events Africa and workers at Mali’s mining regulator and other mining agencies.

Strike pressure eases

The agreement removes a near-term disruption risk for Barrick as it continues rebuilding production at Loulo-Gounkoto after a prolonged dispute with Mali’s military-led government. The complex produced about 190,000 ounces of gold in the first half of 2026, well below its output before the dispute.

Barrick and Mali settled their broader dispute in November last year after about two years of negotiations over profit-sharing and control of the mining complex. The settlement allowed the Canadian miner to regain operational control after the government placed the site under temporary state administration during the dispute.

Mali tightens mining grip

The labor agreement also comes against a broader shift in Mali’s mining policy. The government has sought a larger share of revenue from the country’s mineral resources under a 2023 mining code, increasing state involvement as authorities push foreign and domestic operators to comply with revised rules.

The dispute with Barrick had previously disrupted operations and strained relations between the miner and authorities. In January 2025, Barrick temporarily suspended operations after Malian authorities arrested company employees and issued an arrest warrant for former CEO Mark Bristow over alleged financial crimes.

For Barrick, the latest agreement clears one immediate obstacle at Loulo-Gounkoto but does not erase the wider operating challenges in Mali. The mine remains an important part of the company’s gold portfolio, making labor stability and relations with authorities closely tied to its ability to restore production.

Loulo-Gounkoto remains key

Barrick, headquartered in Toronto, is one of the world’s largest gold and copper producers, with operations across 18 countries. Its portfolio includes major assets in Nevada, Tanzania, Mali and Zambia. The company is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and Toronto Stock Exchange and has operated in Mali for decades.

The Loulo-Gounkoto complex consists of the Loulo and Gounkoto mines in western Mali near the Senegal border and the Falémé River. Société des Mines de Loulo SA and Société des Mines de Gounkoto own the respective mines, with Barrick holding an 80% stake in each and the Malian state owning the remaining 20%.