Resolute faces second Syama strike

The company has continued production at the mine despite the strike and does not expect it will have any material impact on its 2020 calendar year company-wide production guidance of 400,000 to 430,000 ounces of gold.

The workers gave Resolute a strike notice on Monday, which remains consistent with previous demands made during similar action at the Syama site in September.

In September, the Local Union Committee of the Union Nationale des Travailleurs du Mali SOMISY-SA stated it would observe a 10-day strike, demanding that Resolute reinstate workers being stood down due to the company’s COVID-19 protocols receive full pay.

Resolute responded to the union, describing the strike notice as “irresponsible, opportunistic and represents a breach of the commitments made in the Syama workforce stability agreement”.

The current strike notice was given despite Resolute stating in its September quarterly report that Syama had reached a conciliation agreement with the union, cancelling any further planned strike action.

Resolute reiterated following both the September strike notice and the present strike notice that it has implemented a comprehensive company-wide COVID-19 response which is committed to prioritising workforce safety.

“At Syama, a decision has been made to limit the travel of non-essential workers from outside the surrounding region to the mine site,” Resolute stated.

“This decision was made to limit the risk of transmission of the virus between separate regional populations and to maintain Syama’s isolation from the virus. Protocols are in place at Syama to ensure appropriate social distancing, hygiene and isolation.

“This response prioritises the health, safety and wellbeing of Resolute employees, contractors and stakeholders while recognising our responsibility to mitigate the impact of OVID-19 on all aspects of our operations.”

During the September quarter, Resolute produced 46,622 ounces of gold at the Syama mine, adding to its 63,705 ounces in the June quarter and 57,532 ounces in the March quarter.