Barrick Mining has reached a collective bargaining deal with unions representing workers at its Loulo-Gounkoto gold mine in western Mali, according to a company spokesperson and a union official, reported Reuters.

The agreement led to the withdrawal of planned strike action at the site.

Loulo-Gounkoto complex union representative Bani Sacko stated that after a recent meeting an understanding was achieved, resulting in the suspension of all strike activities.

Sacko said: “On Monday the 21st, after a meeting, an agreement was reached and the strike action has since been called off. Apparently, all the other strike actions have also been called off.”

The unions at Loulo-Gounkoto had previously submitted a list of 15 demands, according to Sacko.

Earlier this month, unions at Somilo and Gounkoto had indicated they would begin industrial action at the end of September unless concerns regarding overtime pay, reimbursement of mission expenses and the implementation of labour agreements were addressed.

A separate strike notice was also submitted by Food & Events Africa, Barrick’s catering and support staff contractor.

Separate notices were also submitted by workers at Mali’s mining regulator and other mining administration agencies.

Bloomberg News had reported confirmation of the agreement, citing Mali National Union of Malian Workers’ Abdoulaye Coulibaly, who said the deal covers workers at Food & Events Africa, Somilo and Gounkoto.

Last November, the Malian Government and Barrick resolved, after two years of negotiations between the parties, a dispute over profit-sharing and control of the Loulo-Gounkoto gold mining complex.

Barrick had temporarily suspended operations in January last year after the country’s military-led authorities arrested company employees and issued an arrest warrant for former CEO Mark Bristow over alleged financial crimes.