Pueblo Viejo Affected by Major Rainfall Event
May 26 2011 - 7:53PM
Marketwired
All amounts expressed in US dollars unless otherwise indicated
Barrick Gold Corporation (NYSE: ABX)(TSX: ABX) ("Barrick")
announced that in the aftermath of a major rainfall event in the
area, it is working to alleviate a buildup of rainwater which has
damaged the tailings facility at its 60%-owned Pueblo Viejo
project. The facility, which is under construction and has not yet
reached its full storage capacity, currently contains only
rainwater and accumulated runoff from recent storms. All other
areas of the project, including several other facilities under
construction, were unaffected by the recent storms.
The area around the project site received about 217 millimeters
of rain during the 48-hour period of Tuesday and Wednesday of this
week. According to available records, this is a historically high
level of precipitation. Pueblo Viejo managers notified local and
national authorities and alerted local communities promptly with
their concerns over rising water levels. There have been no
injuries related to this event, however, the majority of site
employees have been evacuated as a precautionary measure in the
event that road access was affected. Water levels in the tailings
facility are being carefully monitored and site employees have
installed extra pumps and cut additional spillways to alleviate the
buildup of rainwater.
The rainfall event is expected to affect the start-up schedule,
which previously anticipated production to commence in Q1 2012. A
process is underway to assess the damage to the tailings facility
and the impact to both the construction timeline and the
pre-production capital budget of $3.3-$3.5 billion (100% basis). A
further update will be provided when this process has been
concluded.
Barrick's vision is to be the world's best gold company by
finding, acquiring, developing and producing quality reserves in a
safe, profitable and socially responsible manner.
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT ON FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
Certain information contained in this press release, including
any information as to our strategy, projects, plans or future
financial or operating performance and other statements that
express management's expectations or estimates of future
performance, constitute "forward-looking statements". All
statements, other than statements of historical fact, are
forward-looking statements. The words "believe", "expect", "will",
"anticipate", "contemplate", "target", "plan", "continue",
"budget", "may", "intend", "estimate" and similar expressions
identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are
necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that,
while considered reasonable by management, are inherently subject
to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and
contingencies. Barrick cautions the reader that such
forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks,
uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual financial
results, performance or achievements of Barrick to be materially
different from Barrick's estimated future results, performance or
achievements expressed or implied by those forward-looking
statements and the forward-looking statements are not guarantees of
future performance. These risks, uncertainties and other factors
include, but are not limited to: operating or technical
difficulties in connection with mining or development activities;
availability and costs associated with mining inputs and labor;
changes in costs and estimates associated with our projects; and
the risks involved in the exploration, development and mining
business. Certain of these factors are discussed in greater detail
in the Company's most recent Form 40-F/Annual Information Form on
file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and Canadian
provincial securities regulatory authorities.
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.
Contacts: INVESTOR CONTACT: Deni Nicoski Vice President,
Investor Relations (416) 307-7410 dnicoski@barrick.com MEDIA
CONTACT: Lou Schack Director, Communications and Community Affairs
Barrick Gold of North America (775) 748-1112
lschack@barrick.com
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