BAMAKO, Dec 4 (Reuters) - A workers' strike at B2Gold ( BTG )

's flagship mine in southwest Mali has reduced mining

operations to just 25% of its capacity, two employees at the

mine told Reuters on Tuesday.

Between 1,875 and 2,000 workers at B2Gold's ( BTG ) Fekola mine in

Mali launched the seven-day strike on Nov. 29 over the dismissal

of some of their colleagues, the sources said, speaking on

condition of anonymity.

Responding to a request for comment, the Vancouver-based

miner said mining operations at Fekola were continuing at a

reduced capacity, although "well in excess" of the 25% reported

by the sources.

On Dec. 2, B2Gold ( BTG ) said the industrial action was triggered

by steps taken by the company against a few employees who had

engaged in alleged illegal activities.

The Fekola plant was operating normally and output was

expected to be towards the lower end of an earlier forecast

range of 420,000 ounces to 450,000 ounces of gold this year, it

said in a statement.

Karim Fomba, national secretary of the civil construction,

mining and energy union, said the strikers' main demand is for

the company to reinstate the employees who were dismissed.

"A court decision has certified that the dismissals were

abusive, but the mine management has not implemented the

decision," he told Reuters.

Fekola is B2Gold's ( BTG ) biggest mine and among the largest

operations in the West African country.