FOR: BARRICK GOLD CORPORATION
PARIS, NYSE, TSX, Swiss SYMBOL: ABX
LSE SYMBOL: BGD
May 4, 2006
Barrick Gold Corporation: Earnings and Cash Flow Rise Sharply. Gold Hedge Position Significantly Reduced
TORONTO, ONTARIO--(CCNMatthews - May 4, 2006) - Barrick Gold Corporation
(NYSE:ABX)(TSX:ABX)(LSE:BGD)(SWX:ABX)(EURONEXT PARIS:ABX) -
FIRST QUARTER REPORT 2006 - MAY 3, 2006
Based on US GAAP and expressed in US dollars
For a full explanation of results, the Financial Statements and Management Discussion & Analysis, full-year
guidance at significant mines, and mine statistics, please see the Company's website,
www.barrick.com/Investors/Annual&QuarterlyReports/.
Highlights
- Q1 net income was $224 million ($0.29 per share) and operating cash flow was $378 million ($0.48 per share),
rising sharply over the prior-year period's net income of $66 million ($0.12 per share) and operating cash flow
of $122 million ($0.23 per share).
- During Q1, Barrick successfully completed its $10.0 billion acquisition of Placer Dome, and is integrating
the operations within its Regional Business Unit structure and targeting $200 million in annual synergies from
2007 onwards.
- As of May 3, 2006, the gold hedge position has been reduced by 5.7 million ounces. The corporate gold sales
contract portion of this position currently totals 4.8 million ounces, representing only 4% of reserves,
excluding project gold sales contracts and associated reserves. Barrick expects to reduce this position by a
further 2.0 million ounces before the end of 2006, and to completely eliminate the remaining 2.8 million ounces
of its corporate gold sales contracts no later than the end of 2009.
- Equity gold production was 1.96 million ounces at total cash costs of $283 per ounce(1), and copper
production was 72 million pounds at total cash costs of $0.77 per pound(1). The Company expects gold production
for the remaining quarters of 2006 to be higher, and expects to produce between 8.6 - 8.9 million ounces of
gold for the year at total cash costs of $275 - $290 per ounce, and approximately 350 million pounds of copper
at total cash costs of about $0.75 - $0.80 per pound.
- During Q1, Barrick entered into an agreement with Antofagasta PLC to acquire 50% of Tethyan Copper Company's
Reko Diq gold and copper project and associated mineral interests in Pakistan.
Barrick Gold Corporation today reported net income of $224 million ($0.29 per share) for first quarter 2006,
rising sharply from net income of $66 million ($0.12 per share) in the year-earlier period. First quarter 2006
net income was reduced by $31 million ($0.04 per share) of special items. (See page 10 of Management's
Discussion and Analysis for further details.)
Operating cash flow for first quarter 2006 was $378 million ($0.48 per share), compared with the prior-year
period of $122 million ($0.23 per share). Operating cash flow was reduced by $20 million ($0.03 per share) in
first quarter 2006 due to Placer Dome restructuring costs.
"Our strong earnings and cash flow performance in the first quarter benefited from rising gold and copper
prices, production from our new generation of mines and the contribution of Placer Dome mines," said Greg
Wilkins, President and CEO. "The acquisition of Placer Dome has strengthened our competitive advantage, as we
have the strength, breadth and scale to capitalize on opportunities and deliver shareholder value."
PLACER DOME ACQUISITION
In January 2006, Barrick gained control of Placer Dome when it acquired 81% of the outstanding common shares.
In March 2006, Barrick completed the acquisition, and Placer Dome became a wholly-owned subsidiary. As a result
and following the Goldcorp transaction, Barrick has acquired a portfolio of ten producing gold mines, two
copper mines and three major gold projects. The Company has issued a total of 322.8 million new common shares
and paid $1.3 billion in cash for total consideration of $10.0 billion. Barrick expects to receive
approximately $1.6 billion from Goldcorp Inc., when it closes its agreement to sell four Placer Dome mines and
other agreed interests. This is expected to occur by mid-May.
HEDGE BOOK REDUCTION
Barrick remains positive on the long-term outlook for gold prices and, further to its announcement in February,
has aggressively reduced the legacy Placer Dome gold hedge program. During the quarter, the combined hedge
positions were reduced by a total of 4.7 million ounces. As of today, a further 1.0 million ounces have been
eliminated for a year-to-date reduction of 5.7 million ounces. The total cost of reducing the Placer Dome
position was approximately $1.2 billion, of which $814 million was incurred in the first quarter. The corporate
gold sales contract position currently totals 4.8 million ounces, representing only 4% of reserves, excluding
project gold sales contracts and associated reserves. The Company intends to eliminate the remaining 2.0
million ounces of the Placer Dome position by the end of this year, and expects to eliminate the remaining 2.8
million ounces of the corporate gold sales contract position no later than the end of 2009.
PRODUCTION AND COSTS
In first quarter 2006, Barrick produced 1.96 million ounces of gold at total cash costs of $283 per ounce,
compared to 1.14 million ounces produced at total cash costs of $241 per ounce for the prior-year quarter.
First-quarter gold production and total cash costs include results from the acquired Placer Dome mines from
January 20, 2006. They do not include production from the mines to be sold to Goldcorp.
Barrick's financial results benefited from the strong gold price, as it realized $537 per ounce versus total
cash costs of $283 per ounce, as well as production from its new generation of mines and the Placer Dome mines.
The Company also produced 72 million pounds of copper during first quarter 2006 from two copper mines. The
average realized price for copper sales in first quarter 2006 was $2.31 per pound and total cash costs were
$0.77 per pound. Barrick is benefiting from the higher spot copper prices, where prices have recently traded in
excess of $3.00 per pound.
"The opportunities for value creation are compelling within the Placer Dome portfolio of assets - especially
due to the proximity to our assets and facilities," said Peter Kinver, Executive Vice President and COO. "Our
operations team is now focused on improvement initiatives and capturing synergies."
REGIONAL RESULTS
North America
The North America region gained four gold mines as a result of the Placer Dome acquisition, bringing the total
mines in the region to nine. First-quarter gold production was 0.9 million ounces at total cash costs of $290
per ounce versus 0.7 million ounces at total cash costs of $252 per ounce in the prior-year period. The
increase in production was due to the acquisition of these new mines and the mining of higher-grade areas at
Goldstrike. At Golden Sunlight, Barrick is assessing the impact of pit wall instability on the mine, although
the Company does not expect any revisions to the mine plan to have a material impact on future company total
production and total cash costs per ounce. Total cash costs for the region increased by 15% over the same
period primarily due to the mix of production, higher prices of input commodities, consumables and royalties.
Barrick also acquired three major projects through the Placer Dome acquisition: Cortez Hills in Nevada; Pueblo
Viejo in the Dominican Republic; and Donlin Creek in Alaska. The Company is currently reviewing the Cortez
Hills and Pueblo Viejo feasibility analyses, and undertaking a detailed technical review of the Donlin Creek
project while continuing to advance the feasibility study process. Barrick is using its experience from
building four new mines in the last two years to add value to these projects.
South America
The South America region produced 0.4 million ounces of gold at total cash costs of $192 per ounce versus 0.2
million ounces of gold at $119 per ounce in 2005 as a result of the start-up of the Lagunas Norte and Veladero
mines during the second half of 2005. Lagunas Norte continues to generate strong operating results and is
expected to produce over one million ounces of gold in 2006. At Veladero, production levels continue to
increase due to high equipment availabilities. The mine is currently leaching lower-grade ore from the Filo
Mario pit, before accessing higher-grade ore in the second half of 2006. Barrick acquired the Zaldivar copper
mine, which produced 60 million pounds of copper during first quarter 2006 at a total cash cost of $0.60 per
pound. At the Pascua-Lama project in Chile/Argentina, approval of the environmental impact assessment was
received during the quarter from the Chilean environmental regulatory authorities. Approval of the
environmental impact assessment by Argentine regulatory authorities is targeted for mid-year 2006.
Australia Pacific
The Australia Pacific region saw the addition of four gold mines and one copper-gold mine as a result of the
Placer Dome acquisition, bringing the total mines in the region to ten. First-quarter gold production was 0.5
million ounces at total cash costs of $318 per ounce versus 0.3 million ounces at total cash costs of $232 per
ounce in the prior-year period. The increase in production is due to the acquisition of these mines, partly
offset by lower production from Kalgoorlie. At Kalgoorlie, lower production was due to reduced throughput
because of mill shutdowns and lower ore grades processed which resulted in higher total cash costs. At Porgera,
production was impacted by lower grades from stockpiles and power disruptions. Total cash costs for the region
increased due to the new mix of mines, higher energy costs and higher foreign exchange rates. At the Cowal
project in Australia, operations have started up and first gold was poured on April 30, 2006. Total
construction costs are expected to be approximately $375 million.
Africa
The Africa region added two gold mines as a result of the Placer Dome acquisition, bringing the total mines in
the region to four. The region produced 0.2 million ounces of gold in the quarter at total cash costs of $362
per ounce versus 0.1 million ounces at total cash costs of $357 per ounce in the prior-year period. The
increase in production is largely due to the acquisition of these new mines. At North Mara, production has been
affected by delays in receiving new equipment which resulted in delays in accessing higher grade areas of the
pit. The Company expects production to increase in the second half of the year.
Russia/Central Asia
Barrick's equity share of production was about 10,000 ounces in the quarter at total cash costs of $355 per
ounce. The Company is currently evaluating the feasibility of the previously-mined Taseevskoye deposit (50%
owned), as well as continuing to acquire rights to or elect to participate in exploration properties.
EXPLORATION UPDATE(2)
Barrick's exploration team has completed the integration of Placer Dome's group to more effectively add ounces
around existing operations and development projects. The combined team also has enhanced capabilities to find
new ounces in emerging regions. Based on data reviewed to date, the Company sees significant opportunities to
find new ounces at and around the acquired Placer Dome mines.
Barrick expects to spend about $150 - $170 million on exploration in 2006, which is equally divided between
mine site and greenfield exploration programs.
The Company's top exploration prospects include: Cortez, Bald Mountain and South Arturo in Nevada; North Mara
and Nyanzaga in Tanzania; and Porgera in Papua New Guinea.
At the Cortez property, where Barrick owns a 60% interest, the focus will be on drilling structural zones in
the Cortez and Pipeline Corridors which represent favorable targets for discovery of new mineralization. Also,
drilling will target mineralization beneath the Cortez Hills deposit.
At Bald Mountain, Barrick is drilling near-surface oxide targets, as well as deeper sulphide targets which had
not previously been an exploration focus at this property. Barrick can take advantage of its nearby sulphide
processing facilities at Goldstrike that consist of an autoclave and roaster.
At the South Arturo deposit near Goldstrike which was discovered in September 2005, the Company currently has
four rigs on the property working to expand the resource. The deposit is still open and preliminary
metallurgical tests indicate good recoveries. The Company believes the property holds multi-million ounce
potential.
In Tanzania, there has been limited exploration in the land holdings surrounding North Mara. As well, Nyanzaga
has shown potential for a large system and an aggressive drill program is underway.
At Porgera, where Barrick owns a 75% interest, the objective is to drill test extensions to existing
underground high-grade lodes, as well as untested potential bonanza zones at depth.
CORPORATE DEVELOPMENT
During the quarter, the Company announced it had entered into an agreement with Antofagasta PLC to acquire 50%
of Tethyan Copper Company's Reko Diq gold and copper project and associated mineral interests in Pakistan. The
highly prospective Reko Diq project is located in the Chagai Hills region of Pakistan, a mining district that
hosts significant gold and copper porphyry deposits as part of an extended belt. Barrick will reimburse
Antofagasta approximately $115 million in cash for 50% of all the acquisition costs upon successful completion.
Barrick is working with Bema Gold Corporation and Arizona Star Resources Corp. to finalize agreements whereby
the Company will sell its interest in the Cerro Casale project to Bema and Arizona Star consistent with the
Agreement in Principle reached by Placer Dome last October.
PLACER DOME INTEGRATION AND 2006 OUTLOOK
On October 31, 2005, Barrick announced its offer to acquire all the outstanding shares of Placer Dome Inc. to
further strengthen its competitive position within the gold mining industry. Immediately after gaining control
of Placer Dome on January 19, 2006, Barrick launched its integration plan and began to capture the estimated
$200 million of annual synergies in an orderly and timely manner.
During the first quarter, the integration plan focused on implementing the organizational structure for the
larger company, consolidating business and exploration offices around the world, and eliminating immediate
redundancies.
The Company is reiterating its 2006 gold production guidance of 8.6 - 8.9 million ounces at $275 - $290 per
ounce. Full-year copper production guidance is approximately 350 million pounds at total cash costs of about
$0.75 - $0.80 per pound. The Company expects gold production for the remaining quarters of 2006 to be higher
due to planned mine sequencing, inclusion of results from Placer Dome mines for an entire quarter, and the
start-up of the Cowal mine. See page 7 for a detailed breakdown of production and total cash cost guidance for
each region including certain consolidated financial guidance. Guidance for amortization expense is not yet
available as the allocation of the purchase price to assets and liabilities acquired is subject to a valuation
exercise that will be conducted over the balance of the year.
For a full explanation of results, the Financial Statements and Management Discussion & Analysis, full-year
guidance at significant mines, and mine
statistics, please see the Company's website, www.barrick.com/Investors/Annual&QuarterlyReports/.
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. Barrick's shares are traded on the Toronto, New
York, London, Euronext-Paris and Swiss stock exchanges.
(1) Total cash costs is defined as cost of sales divided by ounces of gold sold or pounds of copper sold. Total
cash costs exclude amortization expense and inventory purchase accounting adjustments. For further information
on this performance measure see page 15 of the Company's MD&A.
(2) Barrick's exploration programs are designed and conducted under the supervision of Alexander J. Davidson,
P. Geo., Executive Vice President, Exploration and Corporate Development of Barrick. For information on the
geology, exploration activities generally, and drilling and analysis procedures on Barrick's material
properties, see Barrick's most recent Annual Information Form/Form 40-F on file with Canadian provincial
securities regulatory authorities and the US Securities and Exchange Commission.
/T/
Key Statistics
Three months ended
March 31,
(in United States dollars) ----------------------
(Unaudited) 2006 2005
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating Results
Gold production (thousands of ounces)(1) 1,956 1,144
Gold sold (thousands of ounces)(1) 1,940 1,129
Per ounce data
Average spot gold price $ 554 $ 427
Average realized gold price 537 428
Total cash costs(2) 283 241
Amortization(3) 82 78
Total production costs 365 319
Copper production (millions of pounds) 72 -
Copper sold (millions of pounds) 79 -
Per pound data
Average spot copper price $ 2.24 n/a
Average realized copper price 2.31 n/a
Total cash costs(2) 0.77 n/a
Amortization(3) 0.72 n/a
Total production costs 1.49 n/a
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Financial Results (millions)
Sales $ 1,254 $ 484
Income from continuing operations 226 60
Net income 224 66
Operating cash flow 378 122
Per Share Data (dollars)
Income from continuing operations 0.29 0.11
Net income (basic and diluted) 0.29 0.12
Operating cash flow 0.48 0.23
Weighted average common shares
outstanding (millions)(4) 789 536
---------------------------------------------------------------------
As at As at
March 31, December 31,
----------------------
2006 2005
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Financial Position (millions)
Cash and equivalents $1,245 $ 1,037
Non-cash working capital 418 151
Long-term debt 2,967 1,721
Shareholders' equity 12,861 3,850
---------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Includes equity gold ounces in Tulawaka and South Deep.
Production also includes equity gold ounces in Highland Gold.
(2) Represents cost of goods sold plus royalties, production taxes
and accretion expense, less by-product revenues, divided by
ounces of gold sold or pounds of copper sold.
For further information on this performance measure, refer to
page 15. Excludes amortization and inventory purchase accounting
adjustments.
(3) Represents amortization expense and inventory purchase accounting
adjustments at the Company's producing mines divided by ounces of
gold sold or pounds of copper sold.
(4) Fully diluted, includes dilutive effect of stock options and
convertible debt.
Production and Cost Summary
Gold Production Total Cash Costs
(attributable ounces) (000's)(1) (US$/oz)(1)
For the three -----------------------------------------------------
months ended
March 31 2006 2005 2006 2005
(Unaudited)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
North America 852 657 $ 290 $ 252
South America 423 146 192 119
Australia Pacific 482 254 318 232
Africa 189 78 362 357
Russia/Central Asia 10 9 355 250
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Total 1,956 1,144 $ 283 $ 241
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Copper Production Total Cash Costs
(attributable pounds) (Millions)(1) (US$/lb)(1)
--------------------------------------------------------
2006 2005 2006 2005
South America 60 - $ 0.60 -
Australia Pacific 12 - 1.37 -
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Total 72 - $ 0.77 $ -
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Gold Production
Costs (US$/oz)
-------------------------
For the three months ended March 31 2006 2005
(Unaudited)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Direct mining costs at market foreign
exchange rates $ 289 $ 272
Gains realized on currency and commodity
hedge contracts (11) (22)
By-product credits (18) (26)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash operating costs 260 224
Royalties 16 11
Production taxes 4 3
Accretion and other costs 3 3
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Total cash costs(2) 283 241
Amortization 76 78
Inventory purchase accounting adjustments 6 -
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Total production costs $ 365 $ 319
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Copper Production
Costs (US$/lb)
-------------------------
For the three months ended March 31 2006 2005
(Unaudited)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash operating costs $ 0.75 $ -
Royalties 0.02 -
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Total cash costs(2) 0.77 -
Amortization 0.12 -
Inventory purchase accounting adjustments 0.60 -
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Total production costs $ 1.49 $ -
---------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Barrick's share of acquired Placer Dome mines' production and
total cash costs for the period January 20, 2006 to March 31,
2006.
(2) Total cash costs per ounce/pound for first quarter 2005 has been
adjusted to reflect the inclusion of accretion in our definition
of total cash costs per ounce/pound. Total cash costs per
ounce/pound excludes amortization and inventory purchase
accounting adjustments. Total cash costs per ounce/pound is a
performance measure that is used throughout this First Quarter
Report 2006. For more information see pages 15 to 17.
2006 Outlook
Gold Production Total Cash Costs
(attributable ounces) (000's) (US$/oz)(1)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
North America 3,350 - 3,450 $310 - $325
South America 2,050 - 2,090 160 - 175
Australia Pacific 2,235 - 2,335 330 - 345
Africa 930 - 985 330 - 345
Highland equity portion 35 - 40 350 - 360
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Total 8,600 - 8,900 $275 - $290
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Copper Production Total Cash Costs
(attributable pounds) (millions) (US$/lb)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
South America approximately 280 approximately $0.65
Australia Pacific approximately 70 approximately $1.30
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Total approximately 350 $0.75 - $0.80
---------------------------------------------------------------------
For further details on 2006 Production and Total Cash Costs Outlook
at significant mines, please see the Company's website at
www.barrick.com/Investors/Annual&QuarterlyReports/.
Corporate Financial Guidance (millions)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Corporate administration expense $140
Exploration expense 150 - 170
Project development expense 135
Other operating expenses 85
Interest income 75
Interest expense 110
Capital expenditures 1,200 - 1,300
Tax rate (percent) approximately 30%
---------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Total cash cost guidance, including royalties and production
taxes which are impacted by the spot gold price, are at an
assumed average gold price of $575 per ounce for the remainder of
the year.
CORPORATE OFFICE TRANSFER AGENTS AND REGISTRARS
Barrick Gold Corporation CIBC Mellon Trust Company
BCE Place, TD Canada Trust Tower, P.O. Box 7010,
Suite 3700 Adelaide Street Postal Station
161 Bay Street, P.O. Box 212 Toronto, Ontario M5C 2W9
Toronto, Canada M5J 2S1 Tel: (416) 643-5500
Tel: (416) 861-9911 Toll-free throughout
Fax: (416) 861-0727 North America: 1-800-387-0825
Toll-free within Canada and Fax: (416) 643-5660
United States: 1-800-720-7415 Email: inquiries@cibcmellon.ca
Email: investor@barrick.com Website: www.cibcmellon.com
Website: www.barrick.com
SHARES LISTED Mellon Investor Services L.L.C.
ABX - The Toronto Stock Exchange 480 Washington Blvd.
The New York Stock Exchange Jersey City, NJ 07310
The Swiss Stock Exchange Email: shrrelations@mellon.com
Euronext - Paris Website: www.mellon-investor.com
BGD - The London Stock Exchange
INVESTOR CONTACT MEDIA CONTACT
James Mavor Vincent Borg
Vice President, Senior Vice President,
Investor Relations Corporate Communications
Tel: (416) 307-7463 Tel: (416) 307-7477
Email: jmavor@barrick.com Email: vborg@barrick.com
/T/
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT ON FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
Certain information contained or incorporated by reference in this First Quarter Report 2006, including any
information as to our future financial or operating performance, constitutes "forward-looking statements". All
statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. The words "believe",
"expect", "anticipate", "contemplate", "target", "plan", "intends", "continue", "budget", "estimate", "may",
"will", "schedule" 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 us, 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.
Such factors include, but are not limited to: fluctuations in the currency markets (such as the Canadian and
Australian dollars, South African rand and Papua New Guinean kina versus the U.S. dollar); fluctuations in the
spot and forward price of gold or certain other commodities (such as copper, silver, diesel fuel and
electricity); changes in U.S. dollar interest rates or gold lease rates that could impact the mark to market
value of outstanding derivative instruments and ongoing payments/receipts under interest rate swaps and
variable rate debt obligations; risks arising from holding derivative instruments (such as credit risk, market
liquidity risk and mark to market risk); changes in national and local government legislation, taxation,
controls, regulations and political or economic developments in Canada, the United States, Dominican Republic,
Australia, Papua New Guinea, Chile, Peru, Argentina, South Africa, Tanzania, Russia or Barbados or other
countries in which we do or may carry on business in the future; business opportunities that may be presented
to, or pursued by, us; our ability to successfully integrate acquisitions, including our recent acquisition of
Placer Dome; operating or technical difficulties in connection with mining or development activities; employee
relations; the speculative nature of gold exploration and development, including the risks of obtaining
necessary licenses and permits; diminishing quantities or grades of reserves; adverse changes in our credit
rating; and contests over title to properties, particularly title to undeveloped properties. In addition, there
are risks and hazards associated with the business of gold exploration, development and mining, including
environmental hazards, industrial accidents, unusual or unexpected formations, pressures, cave-ins, flooding
and gold bullion 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 First Quarter Report 2006 are qualified by these cautionary
statements. Specific reference is made to Barrick's most recent Form 40-F/Annual Information Form on file with
the SEC and Canadian provincial securities regulatory authorities for a discussion of some of the factors
underlying forward-looking statements.
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 to the extent required by applicable laws.
-30-
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Barrick Gold Corporation
Vincent Borg
Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications
(416) 307-7477
(416) 861-1509 (FAX)
vborg@barrick.com
-0-
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