Barrick Gold Corporation (NYSE:GOLD) (TSX:ABX) – Barrick’s peerless
gold and rapidly growing copper portfolios now extend across all
the major gold and copper districts worldwide, providing the
company with a solid base from which to grow its production and
value, directed by a proven strategy and supported by a broad
spectrum of skills, says president and chief executive Mark Bristow
in the 2023 Annual Report published today.
“Discovery and development are the true drivers
of value and our strong focus on exploration is evident in our
widespread hunt for new discoveries with Tier One1 potential as
well as reserve replenishment opportunities,” he says.
He notes that Barrick has a unique record of
more than replacing depleted reserves. Last year, it increased its
gold reserves to 77 million ounces2 and replaced 112% of its annual
gold equivalent production. 2,3 Since 2019, it has organically
added 29 million ounces4 of attributable reserves which, on a 100%
basis, represents 44 million ounces4 of reserve addition across all
Barrick-managed mines.
“Our proven ability to replace the ounces of
gold and pounds of copper we mine, and the organic growth
opportunities embedded in our business, give us the confidence to
believe that we can deliver on and continue to extend our 10-year
gold and copper production forecast without dilutionary
acquisitions. As a result of this, we also continue to forecast an
increase of more than 30% in gold equivalent production by the end
of this decade.” 5
Year-on-year operating cash flow increased by
7%, free cash flow6 grew by 50% and adjusted net earnings7 rose by
12%. The performance of our business and the continued strength of
our balance sheet allowed us to maintain a robust dividend for our
shareholders in 2023.
“Barrick’s commitment to real sustainability has
long been the bedrock of the business and integrates all aspects of
environmental and community responsibilities. This strategy is
based on sharing the benefits of our operations with all our
stakeholders and is fundamental to our social licence to operate,”
Bristow said.
Also in the Annual Report, chairman John
Thornton says the foundational creed of the 2019 merger with
Randgold was that the best assets run by the best people would
deliver the best returns.
“Barrick’s focus on Tier One assets and the
results they are producing show unquestionably that its management
ranks in the forefront of the industry’s leadership. Through
continuing investment in human capital, Barrick is recruiting and
developing its next generation of high achievers,” he says.
Barrick’s 2023 Annual Report, Annual Information
Form and Form 40-F are now available on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca)
and EDGAR (www.sec.gov), respectively. An updated National
Instrument 43-101 technical report for the Turquoise Ridge Complex,
current as of December 31, 2023, is also available on SEDAR+ and
EDGAR.
To access the above-mentioned documents, please
visit www.barrick.com. Shareholders may also receive a copy of
Barrick’s audited financial statements without charge upon request
to Barrick’s Investor Relations Department, 161 Bay Street, Suite
3700, Toronto, Ontario, M5J 2S1 or to investor@barrick.com.
Enquiries
President and CEOMark Bristow+1 647 205 7694+44
788 071 1386
Senior EVP and CFO Graham Shuttleworth+1 647 262
2095+44 779 771 1338
Investor and Media RelationsKathy du Plessis+44
20 7557 7738Email: barrick@dpapr.com
Website: www.barrick.com
Endnotes
- A Tier One Gold Asset is an asset
with a $1,300/oz reserve with potential for 5 million ounces to
support 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. A Tier One Copper
Asset is an asset with a $3.00/lb reserve with potential for five
million tonnes or more of contained copper to support a minimum
20-year life, annual production of at least 200,000 tonnes, and
with all-in sustaining 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.
- Estimated in accordance with
National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral
Projects as required by Canadian securities regulatory authorities.
Estimates are as of December 31, 2023, unless otherwise noted.
Proven mineral reserves of 250 million tonnes grading 1.85g/t,
representing 15 million ounces of gold, and 320 million tonnes
grading 0.41%, representing 1.3 million tonnes of copper. Probable
reserves of 1,200 million tonnes grading 1.61g/t, representing 61
million ounces of gold, and 1,100 million tonnes grading 0.38%,
representing 4.3 million tonnes of copper. Totals may not appear to
sum correctly due to rounding. Complete mineral reserve and mineral
resource data for all mines and projects referenced in this press
release, including tonnes, grades, and ounces, can be found in the
Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources Tables included on pages
37-45 of Barrick’s 2023 Annual Information Form and Form 40-F filed
on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov
- Gold equivalent ounces calculated
from our copper assets are calculated using a gold price of
$1,300/oz and copper price of $3.00/lb.
- Proven and probable reserve gains
calculated from cumulative net change in reserves from year end
2019 to 2023.Reserve replacement percentage is calculated from the
cumulative net change in reserves from 2020 to 2023 divided by the
cumulative depletion in reserves from year end 2019 to 2023 as
shown in the table below:
Year |
Attributable
P&PGold(Moz) |
Attributable GoldAcquisition
&Divestments(Moz) |
Attributable
GoldDepletion(Moz) |
Attributable GoldNet
Change(Moz) |
2019a |
71 |
- |
- |
- |
2020b |
68 |
(2.2) |
(5.5) |
4.2 |
2021c |
69 |
(0.91) |
(5.4) |
8.1 |
2022d |
76 |
- |
(4.8) |
12 |
2023e |
77 |
- |
(4.6) |
5 |
2019 – 2023 Total |
N/A |
(3.1) |
(20) |
29 |
Totals may not appear to sum correctly due to
rounding.
Attributable acquisitions and divestments
includes the following: a decrease of 2.2 Moz in proven and
probable gold reserves from December 31, 2019 to December 31, 2020,
as a result of the divestiture of Barrick's Massawa gold project
effective March 4, 2020; and a decrease of 0.91 Moz in proven and
probable gold reserves from December 31, 2020 to December 31, 2021,
as a result of the change in Barrick's equity interest in Porgera
from 47.5% to 24.5% and the net impact of the asset exchange of
Lone Tree to i-80 Gold for the remaining 50% of South Arturo that
Nevada Gold Mines did not already own.
All estimates are estimated in accordance with
National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral
Projects as required by Canadian securities regulatory
authorities.
- Estimates as of December 31, 2019,
unless otherwise noted. Proven reserves of 280 million tonnes
grading 2.42 g/t, representing 22 million ounces of gold and
Probable reserves of 1,000 million tonnes grading 1.48 g/t,
representing 49 million ounces of gold.
- Estimates as of December 31, 2020,
unless otherwise noted. Proven reserves of 280 million tonnes
grading 2.37g/t, representing 21 million ounces of gold and
Probable reserves of 990 million tonnes grading 1.46g/t,
representing 47 million ounces of gold.
- Estimates as of December 31, 2021,
unless otherwise noted. Proven mineral reserves of 240 million
tonnes grading 2.20g/t, representing 17 million ounces of gold and
Probable reserves of 1,000 million tonnes grading 1.60g/t,
representing 53 million ounces of gold.
- Estimates as of December 31, 2022,
unless otherwise noted. Proven mineral reserves of 260 million
tonnes grading 2.26g/t, representing 19 million ounces of gold and
Probable reserves of 1,200 million tonnes grading 1.53g/t,
representing 57 million ounces of gold.
- Estimates are as of December 31,
2023, unless otherwise noted. Proven mineral reserves of 250
million tonnes grading 1.85g/t, representing 15 million ounces of
gold. Probable reserves of 1,200 million tonnes grading 1.61g/t,
representing 61 million ounces of gold.
5. Gold equivalent ounces calculated
from our copper assets are calculated using a gold price of
$1,300/oz and copper price of $3.00/lb. Barrick’s ten-year
indicative production profile for gold equivalent ounces is based
on the following assumptions:
Key Outlook Assumptions |
2024 |
2025+ |
Gold Price ($/oz) |
1,900 |
1,300 |
Copper Price ($/lb) |
3.50 |
3.00 |
Oil Price (WTI) ($/barrel) |
75 |
75 |
AUD Exchange Rate (AUD:USD) |
0.75 |
0.75 |
ARS Exchange Rate (USD:ARS) |
800 |
800 |
CAD Exchange Rate (USD:CAD) |
1.30 |
1.30 |
CLP Exchange Rate (USD:CLP) |
900 |
900 |
EUR Exchange Rate (EUR:USD) |
1.20 |
1.20 |
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
pre-stripping prior to first ore production in 2027; Tongon will
enter care and maintenance by 2026; and production from the
Zaldívar CuproChlor® Chloride Leach Project (Antofagasta is the
operator of Zaldívar).
Our five-year indicative outlook excludes:
production from Fourmile; 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 ten-year indicative production
profile is subject to change and is based on the same assumptions
as the current five-year outlook detailed above, except that the
subsequent five years of the ten-year outlook assumes attributable
production from Fourmile as well as exploration and mineral
resource management projects in execution at Nevada Gold Mines and
Hemlo.
Barrick’s five-year and ten-year production
profile in this press release also assumes the re-start of Porgera,
as well as 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.
6. “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 including a detailed
reconciliation of this non-GAAP financial performance measure to
its most directly comparable GAAP measure are incorporated by
reference and provided on page 71 of the MD&A accompanying
Barrick’s fourth quarter and full year 2023 financial statements
filed on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and on EDGAR at
www.sec.gov.
7. “Adjusted net earnings” and
“adjusted net earnings per share” are non-GAAP financial
performance measures. Adjusted net earnings excludes the following
from net earnings: impairment charges (reversals) related to
intangibles, goodwill, property, plant and equipment, and
investments; acquisition/disposition gains/losses; foreign currency
translation gains/losses; significant tax adjustments; other items
that are not indicative of the underlying operating performance of
our core mining business; and tax effect and non-controlling
interest of the above items. Management uses this measure
internally to evaluate our underlying operating performance for the
reporting periods presented and to assist with the planning and
forecasting of future operating results. Management believes that
adjusted net earnings is a useful measure of our performance
because impairment charges, acquisition/disposition gains/losses
and significant tax adjustments do not reflect the underlying
operating performance of our core mining business and are not
necessarily indicative of future operating results. Adjusted net
earnings and adjusted net earnings per share are 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 measures are not necessarily
indicative of operating profit or cash flow from operations as
determined under IFRS. Other companies may calculate these measures
differently. Further details including a detailed reconciliation of
this non-GAAP financial performance measure to its most directly
comparable GAAP measure are incorporated by reference and provided
on page 70 of the MD&A accompanying Barrick’s fourth quarter
and full year 2023 financial statements filed on SEDAR+ at
www.sedarplus.ca and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov
Technical
InformationThe scientific and technical
information contained in this press release has been reviewed and
approved by Craig Fiddes, SME-RM, Lead, Resource Modeling, Nevada
Gold Mines; Richard Peattie, MPhil, FAusIMM, Mineral Resources
Manager: Africa and Middle East; Simon Bottoms, CGeol, MGeol, FGS,
FAusIMM, Mineral Resource Management and Evaluation Executive (in
this capacity, Mr. Bottoms is also responsible on an interim basis
for scientific and technical information relating to the Latin
America and Asia Pacific region); John Steele, CIM, Metallurgy,
Engineering and Capital Projects Executive; and Joel Holliday,
FAusIMM, Executive Vice-President, Exploration — each a “Qualified
Person” as defined in National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of
Disclosure for Mineral Projects.
All mineral reserve and mineral resource
estimates are estimated in accordance with National Instrument
43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Unless
otherwise noted, such mineral reserve and mineral resource
estimates are as of December 31, 2023.
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
“potential”, “grow”, “maintain”, “opportunity”, “investment”,
“discovery”, “continue”, “extend”, “will”, “forecast”, “target”,
“developing”, “focus”, “believe” and similar expressions identify
forward-looking statements. In particular, this press release
contains forward-looking statements including, without limitation,
with respect to: 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; Barrick’s strategy, plans, targets and
goals in respect of environmental and social governance issues; our
talent management initiatives; 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 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; 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; 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; the
potential impact of proposed changes to Chilean law on the status
of value added tax refunds received in Chile in connection with the
development of the Pascua-Lama project and the Government of Mali’s
implementation of the agreed extension of the Loulo mining
convention; expropriation or nationalization of property and
political or economic developments in Canada, the United States 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
approvalsnon-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; the Company’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 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; 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 cyber-attacks, cybersecurity breaches, or similar
network or system 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; 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 the
Company'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 the Company’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, the Company;
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, including the
effects and potential effects of the global Covid-19 pandemic;
risks related to the failure of internal controls; and risks
related to the impairment of the Company’s goodwill and assets.
In addition, there are risks and hazards
associated with the business of mineral exploration, development
and mining, including environmental hazards, industrial accidents,
unusual or unexpected formations, pressures, cave-ins, flooding and
gold bullion, copper cathode or gold or copper concentrate 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 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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