Barrick makes initial payment of $3 million to Balochistan
January 31 2023 - 03:15AM
GlobeNewswire Inc.
Barrick Gold Corporation (NYSE:GOLD)(TSX:ABX) has paid the first
US$3 million (approximately 750 million Pakistani rupees) to the
Balochistan provincial government as part of the new Reko Diq
partnership. After the signing of definitive agreements and
completion of legal process last month, Barrick and the Government
of Balochistan recently agreed upon the timetable for the
disbursement of committed funds to the province.
Reko Diq Pakistan Country Manager Ali E. Rind
handed over the cheque for $3 million to Secretary, Mines and
Minerals Development Department, Mr. Saidal Khan Luni.
The new Reko Diq agreement ensures that benefits
from the project start accruing to the people of Balochistan well
before the mine goes into production through advance royalties and
social development funds.
During peak construction the project is expected
to employ approximately 7,500 people and once in production it will
create around 4,000 long-term jobs. Barrick’s policy of
prioritizing local employment and suppliers will have a positive
impact on the local economy. Barrick is working to set up community
development committees to identify priority projects focused on
food security, environmental management and access to education,
healthcare and potable water.
The company plans to finish the Reko Diq
feasibility study update by the end of 2024, with 2028 targeted for
first production.
Subject to the updated feasibility study, Reko
Diq is envisaged as a conventional open pit and milling operation,
producing a high-quality copper-gold concentrate. It will be
constructed in two phases, starting with a plant that will be able
to process approximately 40 million tonnes of ore per annum which
could be doubled in five years following first production from
phase one. With its unique combination of large scale, low strip
and good grade, Reko Diq will be a multi-generational mine with a
life of at least 40 years.
Enquiries:
Kathy du PlessisInvestor and Media Relations+44
20 7557 7738 Email: 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 “target”, “plans”, “will”,
“would”, “expect”, “ensure”, “provide”, “is working”, “future”,
“commitment” and similar expressions identify forward-looking
statements. In particular, this press release contains
forward-looking statements including, without limitation, with
respect to: the planned updating of the historical Reko Diq
feasibility study; the future construction, development and
operation of the Reko Diq project, including the anticipated
timeline for construction and first production; the contemplated
life of mine of the Reko Diq project; the anticipated sharing of
the benefits from the Reko Diq project with Barrick’s host
governments and communities including social development and public
health programs, future community development committees and
priority projects focused on food security, environmental
management and access to education, healthcare and potable water;
and expectations regarding financial performance and other outlook
or guidance.
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 Barrick 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 diesel fuel,
natural gas and electricity); the speculative nature of mineral
exploration and development; changes in mineral production
performance, exploitation and exploration successes; risks
associated with projects in the early stages of evaluation and
development and for which additional technical, engineering and
other analysis is required; disruption of supply routes which may
cause delays in development, construction and mining activities;
diminishing quantities or grades of reserves; increased costs,
delays, suspensions and technical challenges associated with the
construction of capital projects; operating or technical
difficulties in connection with mining or development activities,
including geotechnical challenges and disruptions in the
maintenance or provision of required infrastructure and information
technology systems; failure to comply with environmental and health
and safety laws and regulations; the failure to obtain key licenses
by governmental authorities; 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 Islamic Republic of Pakistan or the
Province of Balochistan; timing of receipt of, or failure to comply
with, necessary permits and approvals; lack of certainty with
respect to foreign legal systems, corruption and other factors that
are inconsistent with the rule of law; risks associated with
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effects of the global Covid-19 pandemic; damage to Barrick’s
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of events, including negative publicity with respect to the
Barrick’s handling of environmental matters or dealings with
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exploration results will not be consistent with Barrick’s
expectations; risks that exploration data may be incomplete and
considerable additional work may be required to complete further
evaluation, including but not limited to drilling, engineering and
socioeconomic studies and investment; risk of loss due to acts of
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contests over title to properties, particularly title to
undeveloped properties, or over access to water, power and other
required infrastructure; business opportunities that may be
presented to, or pursued by, Barrick; risks associated with working
with partners in jointly controlled assets; employee relations
including loss of key employees; increased costs and physical
risks, including extreme weather events and resource shortages
related to climate change; 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.
We disclaim 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.
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