BAMAKO (Reuters) - Production at Randgold's (L:RRS) Loulo gold mine in Mali has been on hold since Wednesday due to a dispute over pay, the head of the industry and mines union SECNAMI told Reuters.
Workers went on strike at the Loulo-Gounkoto mining complex in April over bonus payments, but the standoff was resolved within a day.
Speaking by phone on Saturday, SECNAMI head Bani Sacko said the latest move could not be classified as a strike as it was initiated by the workers and not the union.
"We have stopped work since Wednesday and as I speak to you it continues," he said. "Production is at a standstill."
Randgold did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The Loulo and Gounkoto mines are located in Mali's gold-rich south. They produced more than 20 tonnes of gold last year. Mali is Africa's third-largest gold producer, behind South Africa and Ghana.