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.

(Reporting By Tiemoko Diallo; Writing by Alessandra Prentice; Editing by Daniel Wallis)