Barrick Hosts North Mara Site Visit for Human Rights NGO
February 01 2023 - 08:38AM
GlobeNewswire Inc.
Barrick Gold Corporation (NYSE:GOLD)(TSX:ABX) has hosted a two-day
open-door visit to its North Mara Gold Mine in Tanzania by the
UK-based NGO RAID (Rights and Accountability in Development)
represented primarily by its executive director, Anneke van
Woudenberg.
The intention of the visit was for RAID to
experience firsthand the positive impact Barrick has had since
assuming operational control of North Mara in September 2019. In
the course of the visit, RAID were given a comprehensive
presentation on the mine’s operations and operating environment and
were able to view the transformative impact the mine’s
sustainability strategy has had on its host communities, as is the
case for all Barrick mines.
RAID was invited to observe one of the frequent
community engagement meetings between North Mara, the village
chairpersons, ward and village executive officials of the 11 host
villages as well as their member of parliament. At this meeting,
the village leadership afforded RAID the opportunity to raise any
human rights issues they felt were of concern. Consistent with
Barrick’s findings to date, the village leadership did not
corroborate the allegations raised by RAID and reaffirmed that
there had been no previous engagement with RAID on the concerns
raised.
RAID also had the opportunity to see community
projects, including the agribusiness which provides livelihoods to
over 100 youths, the potable tap water supply which will supply
over 30,000 community members, new schools and medical facilities.
These projects were all funded by the mine through a Community
Development Committee, which puts the community at the heart of the
decision-making process.
Finally, Barrick introduced RAID to key local
authorities and held tripartite meetings which included the
Regional Police Commander and the District Commissioner.
Barrick does not tolerate human rights abuses in
any of its operations and encourages any individual or organization
to share any concerns they may have. North Mara Gold Mine will
continue to implement its sustainability strategy. This includes
engaging and working closely with over 20 regional and national
NGOs that understand the challenges in its host communities and
partner with the mine to implement socio-economic development
projects.
“We encourage RAID to join these NGOs and
collaborate with us on upliftment initiatives. I hope that the site
visit has been informative for RAID and that they will leave
Tanzania with a fresh perspective on the numerous benefits the mine
brings to its host communities and its respect for the human rights
of those influenced by its operations,” said Barrick’s president
and chief executive Mark Bristow.
Barrick Enquiries
Investor and media relationsKathy du Plessis+44 20
7557 7738+27 83 266 5847Email: 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 sustainability performance,
constitutes “forward-looking statements”. All statements, other
than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements.
The words “opens”, “transformative impact”, “opportunity”,
“invest”, “will”, “encourage”, “collaborate”, “upliftment
initiatives”, “continue” and similar expressions identify
forward-looking statements. In particular, this press release
contains forward-looking statements including, without limitation,
with respect to: Barrick’s sustainability strategy and vision;
Barrick's environmental, health and safety, corporate social
responsibility and human rights programs, policies and performance
at North Mara and in Tanzania; the transformative impact of
Barrick’s sustainability strategy in the region; the anticipated
benefits of agricultural, potable water supply and other community
projects at North Mara; the impact of community engagement meetings
at North Mara and Barrick’s invitation to RAID and other NGOs to
collaborate on social and economic uplift initiatives at the
mine.
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: failure to comply with
environmental and health and safety laws and regulations;
non-renewal of key licences 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 Tanzania and other
jurisdictions in which the Company or its affiliates do or may
carry on business in the future; 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
illegal and artisanal mining; risks associated with new diseases,
epidemics and pandemics, including the effects and potential
effects of the global Covid-19 pandemic; 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 human rights and environmental matters or
dealings with community groups, whether true or not; risk of loss
due to acts of war, terrorism, sabotage and civil disturbances;
litigation and administrative proceedings; contests over title to
properties, particularly title to undeveloped properties, or over
access to water, power and other required infrastructure; risks
associated with working with partners in jointly controlled assets;
employee relations including loss of key employees; and increased
costs and physical risks, including extreme weather events and
resource shortages, related to climate change. 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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