Exploration Success, Capital Investment and Reserve Growth to Sustain Kibali’s Production Profile
July 02 2024 - 12:00PM
Barrick Gold Corporation (NYSE:GOLD)(TSX:ABX) – Africa’s
largest gold mine, Kibali, continues to deliver growth as its
strong record of replenishing reserves and resources, and further
investment in technology and capacity, position it to sustain its
750,000 ounces annual production past the current 10-year horizon
to 15 years and beyond.
Speaking to media and other stakeholders today,
Barrick president and chief executive Mark Bristow said Kibali was
not only Africa’s largest gold mine but also its most automated
and, thanks to its three hydropower stations, a leader in renewable
energy. When its back-up solar power plant and battery storage
system are commissioned next year, the renewable component of its
energy mix will increase to 85%.
“When we started building Kibali 14 years ago, this
was one of the DRC’s most underdeveloped regions. The value we
created and the infrastructure we built here have since transformed
it into a new economic frontier and a flourishing commercial hub,
with a community that has grown from 30,000 to over 500,000 people.
We’ve promoted this growth through investment in community
development and partnering with local businesses we have mentored.
Our Azambi power station, for example, was built by an
all-Congolese team. Since 2010, Kibali’s payments to local
contractors and suppliers have amounted to almost $2.7 billion
(CDF 7.6 trillion),” Bristow said.
“In addition, Kibali has written a new chapter in
Barrick’s long support for Africa’s biodiversity by partnering with
African Parks and the DRC Government to re-introduce a sustainable
population of white rhino to the DRC’s Garamba National Park, which
the mine also supports in other ways. This means that, together
with the Barrick coffee project in the Haut-Uele region aimed at
revitalising the once vibrant Robusta coffee industry which Isiro
was once renowned for, we are not only looking after our host
countries in the present but also to their national heritage in the
future.”
Bristow said Kibali was built on partnerships with
its stakeholders, notably the government and its host communities.
Based on its success, Barrick was ready to invest in new gold and
copper opportunities in the DRC, provided the government continued
to build alongside it.
Enquiries:DRC country
managerCyrille Mutombo+243 812 532 441
Investor and Media RelationsKathy du Plessis+44 20
7557 7738Email: barrick@dpapr.com
Website: www.barrick.com
Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking
Information:
Certain information contained or incorporated by
reference in this press release, including any information as to
our strategy, projects, plans, or future financial or operating
performance, constitutes “forward-looking statements”. All
statements, other than statements of historical fact, are
forward-looking statements. The words “on track”, “value-creating”,
“perform”, “transform’, “expect”, “continue”, “increase”,
“commitment”, “grow”, “will”, and similar expressions identify
forward-looking statements. In particular, this press release
contains forward-looking statements including, without limitation,
with respect to: the anticipated benefits from Kibali’s local
procurement initiatives and investment in local partnerships and
communities; Barrick’s investment in community programs and
projects; and Barrick’s commitment to the DRC and potential further
growth opportunities.
Forward-looking statements are necessarily based
upon a number of estimates and assumptions including material
estimates and assumptions related to the factors set forth below
that, while considered reasonable by the Company as at the date of
this press release in light of management’s experience and
perception of current conditions and expected developments, are
inherently subject to significant business, economic, and
competitive uncertainties and contingencies. Known and unknown
factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those
projected in the forward-looking statements, and undue reliance
should not be placed on such statements and information. Such
factors include, but are not limited to: fluctuations in the spot
and forward price of gold, copper, or certain other commodities
(such as silver, diesel fuel, natural gas, and electricity); the
speculative nature of mineral exploration and development; changes
in national and local government legislation, taxation, controls or
regulations and/ or changes in the administration of laws, policies
and practices; expropriation or nationalization of property and
political or economic developments in the DRC and other
jurisdictions in which the Company or its affiliates do or may
carry on business in the future; changes in mineral production
performance, exploitation, and exploration successes; the
possibility that future exploration results will not be consistent
with the Company’s expectations; disruption of supply routes which
may cause delays in construction and mining activities, including
disruptions in the supply of key mining inputs due to the invasion
of Ukraine by Russia; risk of loss due to acts of war, terrorism,
sabotage and civil disturbances; failure to comply with
environmental and health and safety laws and regulations; timing of
receipt of, or failure to comply with, necessary permits and
approvals; uncertainty whether some or all of Barrick’s targeted
investments and projects will meet the Company’s capital allocation
objectives and internal hurdle rate; damage to the Company’s
reputation due to the actual or perceived occurrence of any number
of events, including negative publicity with respect to the
Company’s handling of environmental matters or dealings with
community groups, whether true or not; risks associated with new
diseases, epidemics and pandemics; litigation and legal and
administrative proceedings; employee relations including loss of
key employees; increased costs and physical and transition risks
related to climate change, including extreme weather events,
resource shortages, emerging policies and increased regulations to
related to greenhouse gas emission levels, energy efficiency and
reporting of risks; and availability and increased costs associated
with mining inputs and labor. In addition, there are risks and
hazards associated with the business of mineral exploration,
development and mining, including environmental hazards, industrial
accidents, unusual or unexpected formations, pressures, cave-ins,
flooding and gold bullion, copper cathode or gold or copper
concentrate losses (and the risk of inadequate insurance, or
inability to obtain insurance, to cover these risks).
Many of these uncertainties and contingencies can
affect our actual results and could cause actual results to differ
materially from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking
statements made by, or on behalf of, us. Readers are cautioned that
forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future
performance. All of the forward-looking statements made in this
press release are qualified by these cautionary statements.
Specific reference is made to the most recent Form 40-F/Annual
Information Form on file with the SEC and Canadian provincial
securities regulatory authorities for a more detailed discussion of
some of the factors underlying forward-looking statements and the
risks that may affect Barrick’s ability to achieve the expectations
set forth in the forward-looking statements contained in this press
release.
Barrick disclaims any intention or obligation to
update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result
of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required
by applicable law.