B2Gold Faces Disruption at Fekola Mine Due to Workers’ Strike in Mali
A workers’ strike at B2Gold’s flagship Fekola mine in southwest Mali has significantly reduced mining operations to just 25% of its full capacity, according to two employees at the mine.
The strike, which began on November 29, involves between 1,875 and 2,000 workers protesting the dismissal of some of their colleagues.
The strike, lasting seven days, was triggered after several employees were let go. While the Vancouver-based miner acknowledged the reduced capacity, it disputed the 25% figure, stating operations at Fekola were continuing at a “well in excess” of the reported capacity.
In a statement issued on December 2, B2Gold explained that the industrial action was sparked by the dismissal of a few workers involved in alleged illegal activities.
Despite the unrest, the Fekola plant is operating normally, and B2Gold expects output to fall within the lower range of its annual gold forecast of 420,000 to 450,000 ounces.
Karim Fomba, national secretary of the civil construction, mining, and energy union, stated that the striking workers are demanding the reinstatement of the dismissed employees.
“A court ruling has determined that the dismissals were unjust, but mine management has not yet acted on the decision,” he said.
The Fekola mine is B2Gold’s largest operation and one of the biggest gold producers in Mali.
