Industry Leader Kibali Continues to Advance Automated Mining

Rhea-AI Summary

Barrick Gold's Kibali mine is set to meet its production targets for the year and is expected to grow its mineral reserves beyond ten years. President Mark Bristow highlighted ongoing technological advancements, including machine learning, that enhance safety and efficiency, while local employment remains a priority with Congolese nationals making up 94% of the workforce. Kibali has contributed $3.7 billion to the DRC economy through various payments and initiatives, alongside a successful anti-COVID-19 campaign that has vaccinated 21% of its workforce.

Positive

• Kibali mine on track to meet production guidance for the year.
• Growth in mineral reserves expected, ensuring Tier One status for over 10 years.
• 94% of the workforce comprises Congolese nationals, supporting local employment.
• $95 million spent on local contractors and suppliers in the year to date.
• Kibali has contributed $3.7 billion to the Congolese economy.

Negative

• None.

All amounts expressed in US dollars.

KINSHASA, Democratic Republic of Congo, Oct. 08, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Barrick Gold Corporation (NYSE:GOLD)(TSX:ABX) – The Kibali gold mine remains on track to achieve its production guidance for the year and grow its mineral reserves net of depletion, securing its future as a Tier One¹ operation for at least another 10 years, Barrick president and chief executive Mark Bristow said today.

Speaking at a tour of the complex for government, community and media representatives, Bristow said at the same time continuing investment in technological innovation was keeping Kibali at the forefront of developments in automated mining.

Machine learning has been implemented at the mine’s three hydropower stations and reactive control of the enlarged battery installation will further reduce the need for back-up diesel generation, shrinking Kibali’s already relatively small carbon footprint. New automation software for the underground haulage loaders has been installed and the commissioning of a system for remote stope bogging now enables operators to control loaders from surface.

“Surface control is safer and more efficient, and it also creates employment opportunities for women in an industry where these are not abundant. It’s worth noting that all these operators are Congolese, as Kibali continues to employ and upskill locals in line with Barrick’s global policy of giving preference to host country nationals. Congolese citizens currently make up 94% of Kibali’s workforce including its leadership,” Bristow said.

“Five thousand of our employees and contractors go home to surrounding villages at the end of their shifts and the wellbeing of these communities is consequently a prime concern. This is exemplified by the effectiveness of Kibali’s anti-Covid-19 campaign which included the construction of a community treatment facility. With the support of the Congolese health authorities, we secured a supply of the AstraZeneca vaccine and to date 21% of employees and contractors have been vaccinated compared with the DRC’s countrywide average of 0.15%.”

Bristow said the growth of Kibali had catalyzed and supported the emergence of a thriving local economy in a region previously largely reliant on subsistence farming. In the year to date, the mine has spent $95 million with local contractors and suppliers, many of whom were nurtured by the mine through skills transfer and capacity building.

“To date Kibali has contributed $3.7 billion to the Congolese economy in the form of payments to contractors and suppliers, infrastructure community and support, salaries and royalties, taxes and permits. The success of our continuing exploration program around the mine confirms the potential for reserve growth from new open pittable resources and extensions to the high-grade underground orebodies, indicating that Kibali will materially benefit the DRC and its people for years to come.”

Enquiries:
President and CEO
Mark Bristow
+1 647 205 7694
+44 788 071 1386

COO, Africa and Middle East
Willem Jacobs
+44 779 557 5271

DRC country manager
Cyrille Mutombo
+243 812 532 441

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

Notes

1. A Tier One Gold Asset is an asset with a reserve potential to deliver a minimum 10-year life, annual production of at least 500,000 ounces of gold and total cash costs per ounce over the mine life that are in the lower half of the industry cost curve.
   

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