Recommissioning Starts as Porgera Prepares to Resume Operations in Q1 2024
December 22 2023 - 6:00AM
Barrick Gold Corporation (NYSE:GOLD) (TSX:ABX) – Following the
formal completion of the Porgera Project Commencement Agreement
today, work has started on the recommissioning of the Porgera gold
mine in Papua New Guinea, which has been in care and maintenance
since April 2020. This work is expected to be completed over the
next few weeks, paving the way for mining and processing to restart
in the first quarter of 2024.
Barrick president and chief executive Mark Bristow,
who was closely involved in the negotiations that eventually
delivered the restart agreement, said the mine’s new ownership
structure was in line with the company’s host country partnership
business model.
Operated by Barrick through Barrick Niugini Limited
(BNL), a joint venture with Zijin Mining, Porgera joins the
company’s sector-leading gold asset portfolio with the potential
for a Tier One1 production profile.
EnquiriesInvestor and Media
RelationsKathy du Plessis+44 20 7557 7738Email:
barrick@dpapr.com
Website: www.barrick.com
Endnote:
- A Tier One Gold Asset is an asset with
a $1,300/oz reserve potential to deliver a minimum 10-year life,
annual production of at least 500,000 ounces of gold and with
all-in sustaining costs per ounce in the lower half of the industry
cost curve.
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 “set”, “expect”, “follows”,
“potential”, “secure”, “steer”, “will”, “create”, “project”, “look
forward” and similar expressions identify forward-looking
statements. In particular, this press release contains
forward-looking statements including, without limitation, with
respect to: the expectation of resumption of operations at the
Porgera mine and the restart of processing by the first quarter of
2024; the potential for Porgera to achieve Tier One production
status in Barrick’s gold mine portfolio; forecasted production from
the Porgera mine and the sharing of projected economic benefits
from Porgera with PNG stakeholders under the new equity ownership
structure; the success of Barrick’s host-country partnership model
in Papua New Guinea; Barrick’s future plans, growth potential,
financial strength, investments and overall strategy; and
expectations regarding future price assumptions, financial
performance, shareholder returns, life of mine 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 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); risks
associated with projects in the early stages of evaluation and for
which additional engineering and other analysis is required; the
conditions for the reopening of the mine and the timeline to
recommence operations; risks related to the possibility that future
exploration results will not be consistent with the Company’s
expectations, that quantities or grades of reserves will be
diminished, and that resources may not be converted to reserves;
changes in mineral production performance, exploitation and
exploration successes; 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; lack of
certainty with respect to foreign legal systems, corruption and
other factors that are inconsistent with the rule of law in Papua
New Guinea; 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 Papua New Guinea or other countries in which Barrick does or may
carry on business in the future; non-renewal of key licenses by
governmental authorities; failure to comply with environmental and
health and safety laws and regulations; contests over title to
properties, particularly title to undeveloped properties, or over
access to water, power and other required infrastructure; the
liability associated with risks and hazards in the mining industry,
and the ability to maintain insurance to cover such losses;
increased costs and physical risks, including extreme weather
events and resource shortages, related to climate change; 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; litigation and legal and
administrative proceedings; operating or technical difficulties in
connection with mining or development activities, including
geotechnical challenges, tailings dam and storage facilities
failures, and disruptions in the maintenance or provision of
required infrastructure and information technology systems;
increased costs, delays, suspensions and technical challenges
associated with the construction of capital projects; risks
associated with working with partners in jointly controlled assets;
risks related to 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; risks associated with artisanal and illegal
mining; risks associated with Barrick’s infrastructure, information
technology systems and the implementation of Barrick’s
technological initiatives; the impact of inflation, including
global inflationary pressures driven by supply chain disruptions
caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and global energy cost increases
following the invasion of Ukraine by Russia; the ability of
management to implement its business strategy and enhanced
political risk in certain jurisdictions; uncertainty whether some
or all of Barrick's targeted investments and projects will meet the
Company’s capital allocation objectives and internal hurdle rate;
employee relations including loss of key employees; availability
and increased costs associated with mining inputs and labor; and
risks associated with diseases, epidemics and pandemics, including
the effects and potential effects of the global Covid-19
pandemic.
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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