An initiative begun by Barrick president and chief executive Mark
Bristow almost 13 years ago has come to fruition with the
successful reintroduction of 16 white rhinos to the Garamba
National Park in the northeast of the DRC, where the species was
last seen in 2006.
Following more than a decade of dedicated action
and support, an environment has been created where they can exist
safely. The rhino arrived by aircraft from South Africa this week
and have now been released in the park where professional staff and
qualified veterinarians will regularly monitor their
acclimatization.
Barrick Gold Corporation (NYSE:GOLD)(TSX:ABX)
was the lead donor in the translocation as part of its
long-standing partnership with African Parks and Garamba National
Park, Africa’s oldest wildlife park and a UNESCO World Heritage
Site. To date, Barrick has provided more than $2.5 million for
tracking collars, fuel for observation planes, rescue and
rehabilitation programs as well as improvements to critical
infrastructure such as roads and bridges.
The rhinos were sourced from the &Beyond
Phinda Private Game Reserve in Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa, and
their translocation was achieved in collaboration with the Institut
Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature (ICCN), the Congolese
government and African Parks.
Garamba was one of the last strongholds of the
now extinct in the wild northern white rhino. The introduction of
the near-threatened southern sub-species not only promotes the
long-term conservation of rhino in Africa by extending their range,
but also creates another breeding node for the species in a safe
environment. Since African Parks assumed management of Garamba in
2005, there has been a significant decrease in poaching and most
wildlife species found there are showing positive population
increases, thanks largely to the development of alternative
socio-economic initiatives in and around the park. Additionally,
rhino have historically played an important role in regulating the
structure and functioning of the park’s ecosystem, creating and
maintaining grazing lawns that support other fauna and flora and
provides important ecosystem services.
Bristow says Barrick’s continued support for
Garamba is based on the company’s holistic approach to
sustainability.
“Conserving biodiversity is fundamental to
planetary survival, essential to tackling climate change and has an
important role to play in the war on poverty. We strive not only to
preserve and maintain biodiversity within our permits but to
partner with NGOs and other organizations, such as African Parks
and Garamba, to protect and restore critical biodiversity in some
of the world’s most precious places,” he says.
Barrick’s successful group-wide biodiversity
strategy places importance on protecting areas with high
conservation value.
It is very important to understand the
relationship between the natural environment and the communities
that depend on it. Garamba is one of the largest employers in the
region, with over 500 full-time staff and hundreds more employees
on contract, including law enforcement teams and dedicated
community personnel. The park also supports more than 9,000
community members in entrepreneurial enterprises including
beekeeping, fish and poultry farming as well as four hospitals with
a capacity of 12,000 patients.
Enquiries:
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 performance, constitutes
“forward-looking statements”. All statements, other than statements
of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. The words
“continue”, “support”, “strive”, “strategy”, “protect”, “will”,
“can” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements.
In particular, this press release contains forward-looking
statements including, without limitation, with respect to:
Barrick’s support of the Garamba National Park including
anti-poaching initiatives and other measures to support the white
rhino and other wildlife species; Barrick’s biodiversity strategy
including protection of areas with high conversation value and the
development of alternative socio-economic initiatives in and around
the Garamba National Park; and Barrick’s holistic approach to
sustainability and its environmental, health and safety, corporate
social responsibility and human rights programs, policies and
performance, including regarding local community relations,
economic contributions and education and employment
initiatives.
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; increased
costs and physical and transition risks related to climate change,
including extreme weather events, resource shortages, emerging
policies and increased regulations relating to related to
greenhouse gas emission levels, energy efficiency and reporting of
risks; 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 the Democratic
Republic of the Congo 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 environmental matters or
dealings with community groups, whether true or not; risk of loss
due to acts of war, terrorism, sabotage and civil disturbances; the
impact of inflation, including global energy cost increases
following the invasion of Ukraine by Russia; 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; and
employee relations including loss of key employees. 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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