BAMAKO,
Mali
Barrick Gold Corporation’s giant Loulo-Gounkoto gold complex in western Mali has seen its third underground mine reach its first mining level and it is scheduled to start delivering ore tonnes to the plant during the current quarter, President and Chief Executive Mark Bristow said in a press briefing yesterday.
At the same time, a
prefeasibility study has started on two more mines; an underground operation at
Loulo 3 and a large open pit at Yalea South.
These, Bristow said, would
add mining sources and improve feed flexibility, providing further support for
the complex’s robust 10-year plan.
He said the exploration
programs designed to replace depleted reserves are continuing to deliver good
results.
“The complex produced
193,014 oz of gold in quarter-one and is on track to achieve its full-year
guidance of 640,000 to 700,000 oz.” Bristow said adding that given its strong
performance and the relatively high gold price, the joint venture board paid a
combined dividend for the Loulo-Gounkoto complex of $80 million in the quarter.
He disclosed that COVID-19 testing and care capacities were upgraded during the quarter through the acquisition of new equipment and the complex has been largely unaffected by the third wave of the pandemic.
President and Chief Executive Mark Bristow |
The world’s gold producer
giant’s president said the complex was continuing to invest in the development
of the local community. “One of our latest initiatives is the Accelerator
program, which trains smaller suppliers and service providers in all aspects of
business to enable them to grow and diversify.”
Since the program was
introduced eight months ago, 63% of the participants have diversified their
revenue streams and 80% now have five-year growth plans and long-term goals.
“Loulo-Gounkoto remains a
pillar of the Malian economy as well as a driver of local economic development.
Over the past 24 years, Barrick and its legacy company Randgold Resources have
contributed $7.7 billion to the economy, of which $3 billion went to the state
in the form of dividends, taxes and royalties. Our long partnership with the
country and its people is a testament to how mutually beneficial a relationship
of this kind can be,” Bristow said
Barrick
Gold Corporation is the largest pure gold mining company in the world, with its
headquarters in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is currently undertaking mining
and exploration projects in Papua New Guinea, the United States, Canada,
Dominican Republic, Australia, Peru, Chile, Russia, Mali, South Africa,
Pakistan, Colombia, Argentina and Tanzania. - Africa
(osoropj@gmail.com)
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