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Future-Focused Barrick Sets Sights on 30% Production Growth by 2030

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Barrick Gold (NYSE:GOLD) has announced ambitious plans to achieve 30% growth in gold equivalent ounces by 2030. The company reported strong 2024 performance, with a 69% increase in net earnings - the highest in a decade, 20% growth in operating cash flow, and doubled free cash flow compared to 2023.

Key developments include ramping up Pueblo Viejo, starting prefeasibility work at Fourmile, restarting Porgera operations, and completing feasibility studies for Reko Diq and Lumwana Expansion projects. The company plans to change its name to Barrick Mining to reflect its evolving production profile.

In response to undervalued equity, Barrick repurchased $498 million of shares in 2024 and will continue buybacks when shares trade below intrinsic value. The company also announced board changes, including new nominations and committee chair appointments.

Barrick Gold (NYSE:GOLD) ha annunciato piani ambiziosi per raggiungere una crescita del 30% in once d'oro equivalente entro il 2030. L'azienda ha riportato una performance forte nel 2024, con un aumento del 69% degli utili netti - il più alto degli ultimi dieci anni, una crescita del 20% del flusso di cassa operativo, e un flusso di cassa libero raddoppiato rispetto al 2023.

Sviluppi chiave includono l'aumento della produzione a Pueblo Viejo, l'inizio dei lavori di prefattibilità a Fourmile, il riavvio delle operazioni a Porgera, e il completamento degli studi di fattibilità per i progetti di espansione di Reko Diq e Lumwana. L'azienda prevede di cambiare nome in Barrick Mining per riflettere il suo profilo produttivo in evoluzione.

In risposta a un'equity sottovalutata, Barrick ha riacquistato 498 milioni di dollari di azioni nel 2024 e continuerà i riacquisti quando le azioni verranno scambiate al di sotto del valore intrinseco. L'azienda ha anche annunciato cambiamenti nel consiglio, inclusi nuove nomine e nomine per le presidenze delle commissioni.

Barrick Gold (NYSE:GOLD) ha anunciado planes ambiciosos para lograr un crecimiento del 30% en onzas equivalentes de oro para 2030. La compañía reportó un sólido desempeño en 2024, con un aumento del 69% en las ganancias netas - el más alto en una década, un crecimiento del 20% en el flujo de caja operativo, y un flujo de caja libre duplicado en comparación con 2023.

Los desarrollos clave incluyen el aumento de la producción en Pueblo Viejo, el inicio de trabajos de prefactibilidad en Fourmile, el reinicio de las operaciones en Porgera, y la finalización de estudios de factibilidad para los proyectos de expansión de Reko Diq y Lumwana. La compañía planea cambiar su nombre a Barrick Mining para reflejar su perfil de producción en evolución.

En respuesta a una equidad subvaluada, Barrick recompró 498 millones de dólares en acciones en 2024 y continuará con las recompras cuando las acciones se negocien por debajo del valor intrínseco. La compañía también anunció cambios en la junta, incluidas nuevas nominaciones y nombramientos de presidentes de comités.

바릭 골드 (NYSE:GOLD)2030년까지 금 등가 온스 30% 성장을 달성하기 위한 야심찬 계획을 발표했습니다. 회사는 2024년 강력한 실적을 보고했으며, 순이익 69% 증가 - 10년 만에 가장 높은 수치, 운영 현금 흐름 20% 성장, 그리고 2023년 대비 자유 현금 흐름이 두 배로 증가했습니다.

주요 개발 사항으로는 푸에블로 비에호의 생산 증가, 포어마일에서의 사전 타당성 작업 시작, 포르제라 운영 재개, 그리고 레코 디크 및 룸와나 확장 프로젝트에 대한 타당성 연구 완료가 포함됩니다. 회사는 변화하는 생산 프로필을 반영하기 위해 이름을 바릭 마이닝으로 변경할 계획입니다.

저평가된 주식에 대응하여, 바릭은 2024년 4억 9,800만 달러의 주식을 재매입했으며, 주식이 본질 가치 이하로 거래될 때 재매입을 계속할 것입니다. 회사는 또한 새로운 임명 및 위원회 의장 임명 등을 포함한 이사회 변경 사항을 발표했습니다.

Barrick Gold (NYSE:GOLD) a annoncé des plans ambitieux pour atteindre une croissance de 30% des onces d'or équivalent d'ici 2030. L'entreprise a rapporté une performance solide en 2024, avec une augmentation de 69% des bénéfices nets - le plus haut en une décennie, une croissance de 20% du flux de trésorerie opérationnel, et un flux de trésorerie libre doublé par rapport à 2023.

Les développements clés incluent l'augmentation de la production à Pueblo Viejo, le début des travaux de préfaisabilité à Fourmile, la reprise des opérations à Porgera, et l'achèvement des études de faisabilité pour les projets d'expansion de Reko Diq et Lumwana. L'entreprise prévoit de changer son nom en Barrick Mining pour refléter son profil de production en évolution.

En réponse à une action sous-évaluée, Barrick a racheté 498 millions de dollars d'actions en 2024 et continuera les rachats lorsque les actions seront échangées en dessous de leur valeur intrinsèque. L'entreprise a également annoncé des changements au sein du conseil d'administration, y compris de nouvelles nominations et des présidences de comités.

Barrick Gold (NYSE:GOLD) hat ehrgeizige Pläne angekündigt, um bis 2030 ein Wachstum von 30% bei Goldäquivalentunzen zu erreichen. Das Unternehmen meldete eine starke Leistung im Jahr 2024, mit einem 69%igen Anstieg des Nettogewinns - dem höchsten in einem Jahrzehnt, 20% Wachstum des operativen Cashflows und einer Verdopplung des freien Cashflows im Vergleich zu 2023.

Zu den wichtigsten Entwicklungen gehören die Steigerung der Produktion in Pueblo Viejo, der Beginn der Voruntersuchungen in Fourmile, die Wiederaufnahme der Aktivitäten in Porgera und der Abschluss von Machbarkeitsstudien für die Projekte Reko Diq und Lumwana Expansion. Das Unternehmen plant, seinen Namen in Barrick Mining zu ändern, um sein sich entwickelndes Produktionsprofil widerzuspiegeln.

Als Reaktion auf unterbewertete Aktien hat Barrick 2024 Aktien im Wert von 498 Millionen Dollar zurückgekauft und wird die Rückkäufe fortsetzen, wenn die Aktien unter ihrem inneren Wert gehandelt werden. Das Unternehmen gab auch Änderungen im Vorstand bekannt, einschließlich neuer Nominierungen und Ernennungen von Ausschussvorsitzenden.

Positive
  • 69% increase in net earnings - highest in decade
  • 20% growth in operating cash flow
  • Doubled free cash flow compared to 2023
  • $498 million share buyback program executed
  • Major projects advancing: Reko Diq, Lumwana Expansion, Pueblo Viejo ramp-up
  • Successful maintenance of reserve replacement record
Negative
  • Mining equities underperforming despite rising metal prices
  • Higher operating costs impacting performance
  • Temporary suspension of Loulo-Gounkoto operations

Insights

Barrick's announcement signals robust financial results with 69% growth in net earnings (highest in a decade) and free cash flow doubling compared to 2023, despite operating in a challenging cost environment. The most significant strategic development is their planned 30% growth in gold equivalent ounces by 2030, supported by an advancement of several key assets.

The company is executing a balanced capital allocation strategy - returning value to shareholders through $498 million in share repurchases while simultaneously funding major growth projects. The planned portfolio transformation is particularly noteworthy, with feasibility studies completed for both Reko Diq (one of the world's largest undeveloped copper-gold deposits) and the Lumwana Expansion (poised to become one of the world's largest copper mines).

Their proposed name change from Barrick Gold to Barrick Mining reflects a strategic production profile shift, increasing copper exposure while maintaining their gold foundation. This diversification should reduce revenue volatility since copper typically has different price cycles than gold. The detailed five-year production outlook demonstrates management's confidence in executing their growth pipeline.

With project execution risks properly noted in their forward-looking statements, the company appears well-positioned to deliver on these initiatives given their self-described "industry-leading balance sheet" and substantial liquidity. Their organic growth strategy is entirely self-funded, eliminating financing risk that often plagues mining expansion plans.

Barrick's financial performance reflects exceptional capital discipline with free cash flow doubling year-over-year despite inflationary pressures. The 69% increase in net earnings demonstrates strong operational execution and benefits from higher commodity prices. Their self-funded growth strategy is particularly appealing in the current high interest rate environment.

The $498 million share repurchase program indicates management's belief in their intrinsic value exceeding current market valuation. This capital allocation approach balances shareholder returns with reinvestment in high-return projects - exactly what investors should value in a mature mining company.

The planned 30% production growth by 2030 represents a significant expansion without acquisition premiums. Their diversification into copper provides counter-cyclical exposure that should reduce earnings volatility over time. The company's acknowledgment that mining equities have underperformed despite rising metal prices shows management's awareness of investor concerns.

Barrick's organic growth profile is particularly attractive when compared to peers. Most senior gold producers struggle to maintain flat production profiles, let alone achieve double-digit percentage growth. Their commitment to reserve replacement while adding substantially to resources creates a sustainable production pipeline that extends well beyond the typical 5-7 year window most producers can demonstrate.

Their expanded copper focus, evidenced by the name change proposal, positions them to capture increasing demand from electrification trends. While the gold-to-copper ratio deserves careful monitoring, this diversification creates a more balanced portfolio with exposure to both monetary and industrial metals.

TORONTO, April 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Having laid the foundation to build the world’s most valued gold and copper company, Barrick Gold Corporation (NYSE:GOLD)(TSX:ABX) is now advancing its portfolio of growth projects to support a planned 30% growth in gold equivalent ounces by the end of the decade1, says chairman John Thornton.

In the company’s 2025 Information Circular, published today and available at www.barrick.com/agm as well as filed on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) and EDGAR (www.sec.gov), Thornton said that despite a challenging operating environment, Barrick delivered on the goals it set for 2024, meeting its gold and copper production guidance and maintaining its unmatched record of reserve replacement while adding substantially to its resource base.

“We improved our financial performance, despite higher costs, with an increase in net earnings of 69% — the highest in a decade — operating cash flow growth of 20%, and a doubling of free cash flow2 relative to 2023,” he says.

“At the same time, we developed our portfolio to achieve sustainable production and profitable growth. We continued to ramp up Pueblo Viejo, started prefeasibility work at Fourmile, and restarted the Porgera mining operation. We completed feasibility studies for Reko Diq, one of the world’s largest undeveloped copper-gold deposits, and the Lumwana Expansion project, which will become one of the world’s largest copper mines. Both projects will support our goal to organically grow our production volumes, particularly in copper, and as such we are proposing to change our name from Barrick Gold Corporation to Barrick Mining Corporation, to reflect the company’s changing production profile.”

Thornton noted that despite rising metal prices, mining equities have underperformed, with Barrick no exception. “We viewed our equity as undervalued and consequently repurchased $498 million of shares in 2024 and we will continue to pursue share buybacks whenever we believe our shares are trading below their intrinsic value.”

“We have an industry-leading balance sheet, substantial liquidity and a global portfolio of Tier One assets.3 These qualities, along with our fully funded pipeline of organic growth projects, put us on track to grow the company and increase per-share returns over the long term,” he says.

Also in the Information Circular, lead director Brett Harvey says that board renewal remained a priority in 2024, enhancing Barrick’s global business expertise to achieve representation that reflects the people and regions integral to its operations.

“During the year, we conducted a rigorous and structured selection process to identify potential board candidates, and we’re pleased to nominate Ben van Beurden and Pekka Vauramo for election at this year’s Annual and Special Meeting. At the same time, we would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to Christopher Coleman and Andy Quinn, who will retire from the Board,” says Harvey.

The Board also appointed new chairs for its key committees: Isela Costantini for the Compensation Committee; Loreta Silva for the Audit & Risk Committee; and Brian Greenspun for the Environmental, Social, Governance & Nominating Committees.

Barrick is pleased to host a virtual meeting format for this year’s Annual and Special Meeting which shareholders may attend by way of live webcast regardless of their geographic location.

The meeting will be held meetings.lumiconnect.com/400-995-869-810 on Tuesday, May 6, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. EDT. Registered shareholders, non-registered (or beneficial) shareholders and their duly appointed proxyholders will be able to participate, ask questions, and vote in “real time” through the online portal.

Enquiries

Investor and Media Relations
Kathy du Plessis
+44 20 7557 7738
Email: barrick@dpapr.com

Website: www.barrick.com

Endnote 1

Gold equivalent ounces calculated from our copper assets are calculated using a gold price of $1,400/oz and copper price of $3.00/lb. Barrick’s five-year indicative production profile for gold equivalent ounces is based on the following assumptions:

Key Outlook Assumptions20252026+
Gold Price ($/oz)2,4002,400
Copper Price ($/lb)4.004.00
Oil Price (WTI) ($/barrel)8070
AUD Exchange Rate (AUD:USD)0.750.75
ARS Exchange Rate (USD:ARS)1,0001,000
CAD Exchange Rate (USD:CAD)1.301.30
CLP Exchange Rate (USD:CLP)900900
EUR Exchange Rate (EUR:USD)1.101.10


Barrick’s five-year indicative outlook is based on our current operating asset portfolio, sustaining projects in progress and exploration/ mineral resource management initiatives in execution. This outlook is based on our current reserves and resources and assumes that we will continue to be able to convert resources into reserves. Additional asset optimization, further exploration growth, new project initiatives and divestitures are not included. For the company’s gold and copper segments, and where applicable for a specific region, this indicative outlook is subject to change and assumes the following: new open pit production permitted and commencing at Hemlo in the second half of 2025, allowing three years for permitting and two years for prestripping prior to first ore production in 2027; Tongon will enter care and maintenance by 2027; and production from the Zaldívar CuproChlor® Chloride Leach Project (Antofagasta is the operator of Zaldívar). Our five-year indicative outlook excludes production from Fourmile, as well as Pierina and Golden Sunlight, both of which are currently in care and maintenance; and production from long-term greenfield optionality from Donlin, Pascua-Lama, Norte Abierto and Alturas. Barrick’s fiveyear production profile in this press release also assumes an indicative gold and copper production profile for Reko Diq and an indicative copper production profile for the Lumwana Super Pit expansion, both of which are conceptual in nature. Loulo-Gounkoto has been excluded from Barrick’s 2025 guidance as a result of the temporary suspension of operations. We expect to update our guidance to include Loulo-Gounkoto when we have greater certainty regarding the timing for the restart of operations. For purposes of this indicative five-year forecast only, we have assumed a scenario where Loulo-Gounkoto resumes operations on April 1, 2025. There can be no assurances that a definitive agreement to resolve the ongoing dispute with the Government of Mali will be reached by April 1, 2025 or at all. Refer to page 9 of the MD&A accompanying Barrick’s annual 2024 financial statements for additional information.

Endnote 2

“Free cash flow” is a non-GAAP financial measure that deducts capital expenditures from net cash provided by operating activities. Management believes this to be a useful indicator of our ability to operate without reliance on additional borrowing or usage of existing cash. Free cash flow is intended to provide additional information only and does not have any standardized definition under IFRS, and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS. The measure is not necessarily indicative of operating profit or cash flow from operations as determined under IFRS. Other companies may calculate this measure differently. Further details on this non-GAAP financial performance measure are provided in the MD&A accompanying Barrick’s financial statements filed from time to time on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov.

Endnote 3

A Tier One Gold Asset is an asset with a $1,400/oz reserve with potential to deliver a minimum 10-year life, annual production of at least 500,000 ounces of gold and with costs per ounce in the lower half of the industry cost curve. A Tier One Copper Asset/Project is an asset with a $3.00/lb reserve with potential for +5Mt contained copper in support of at least 20 years life, annual production of at least 200ktpa, with costs per pound in the lower half of the industry cost curve. Tier One assets must be located in a world class geological district with potential for organic reserve growth and long-term geologically driven value addition.

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 “build”, “strategy”, “commitment”, “develop”, “replenish”, “secure”, “transform”, “continue”, “expand”, “grow”, ““expand”, “extension”, “invest”, “will” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. In particular, this press release contains forward-looking statements including, without limitation, with respect to: Barrick’s partnership philosophy and strategy to invest in sustainably profitable growth; Barrick’s forward-looking production guidance and our five and ten-year production profiles for gold and copper; Barrick’s global exploration strategy and planned exploration activities; our ability to convert resources into reserves and future reserve replacement; and the anticipated benefits of Barrick’s sustainability strategy and focus on increasing workforce and Board diversity our share buyback program; Barrick’s future plans, growth potential, financial strength, investments and overall strategy; and expectations regarding future price assumptions, financial performance, shareholder returns 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 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; risks related to the possibility that future exploration results will not be consistent with Barrick’s expectations, that quantities or grades of reserves will be diminished, and that resources may not be converted to reserves; risks associated with the fact that certain of the initiatives described in this press release are still in the early stages and may not materialize; 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; the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development; lack of certainty with respect to foreign legal systems, corruption and other factors that are inconsistent with the rule of law; changes in national and local government legislation, taxation, controls or regulations and/or changes in the administration of laws, policies and practices, including the status of value added tax refunds received in connection with the Pascua-Lama project; expropriation or nationalization of property and political or economic developments in Canada, the United States, Mali or other countries in which Barrick does or may carry on business in the future; risks relating to political instability in certain of the jurisdictions in which Barrick operates; timing of receipt of, or failure to comply with, necessary permits and approvals; non-renewal of key licenses by governmental authorities; 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 greenhouse gas emission levels, energy efficiency and reporting of risks; Barrick’s ability to achieve its sustainability goals; 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; damage to Barrick’s reputation due to the actual or perceived occurrence of any number of events, including negative publicity with respect to Barrick’s handling of environmental matters or dealings with community groups, whether true or not; risks related to operations near communities that may regard Barrick's operations as being detrimental to them; 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 and conflicts in the Middle East; 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; including risks related to cybersecurity incidents, including those caused by computer viruses, malware, ransomware and other cyberattacks, or similar information technology system failures, delays and/or disruptions; the impact of global liquidity and credit availability on the timing of cash flows and the values of assets and liabilities based on projected future cash flows; the impact of inflation, including global inflationary pressures driven by supply chain disruptions; global energy cost increases following the invasion of Ukraine by Russia and country-specific political and economic factors in Argentina; adverse changes in our credit ratings; fluctuations in the currency markets; changes in U.S. dollar interest rates; changes in U.S. trade, tariff and other controls on imports and exports, tax, immigration or other policies that may impact relations with foreign countries, result in retaliatory policies, lead to increased costs for raw materials, components and equipment, or impact Barrick’s existing operations and material growth projects; risks arising from holding derivative instruments (such as credit risk, market liquidity risk and mark-to-market risk); risks related to the demands placed on Barrick's management; 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 Barrick’s capital allocation objectives and internal hurdle rate; whether benefits expected from recent transactions are realized; business opportunities that may be presented to, or pursued by, Barrick; our ability to successfully integrate acquisitions or complete divestitures; risks related to competition in the mining industry; employee relations including loss of key employees; availability and increased costs associated with mining inputs and labor; risks associated with diseases, epidemics and pandemics; risks related to the failure of internal controls; and risks related to the impairment of Barrick’s goodwill and assets.

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.


FAQ

What is Barrick Gold's (GOLD) production growth target for 2030?

Barrick Gold aims to achieve 30% growth in gold equivalent ounces by the end of the decade through its portfolio of growth projects.

How much did Barrick Gold (GOLD) increase its net earnings in 2024?

Barrick Gold reported a 69% increase in net earnings for 2024, marking its highest performance in a decade.

What is the value of share buybacks conducted by Barrick (GOLD) in 2024?

Barrick repurchased $498 million worth of shares in 2024 due to perceived undervaluation of its equity.

Why is Barrick Gold (GOLD) changing its company name?

Barrick is proposing to change its name to Barrick Mining to reflect the company's changing production profile, particularly its increased focus on copper.
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