Responsible Mining by the Numbers: How Communities Benefit

Feb 7, 2013 11:00 AM ET
In 2011, Barrick contributed $13 billion to the communities in which it operates.

Barrick Beyond Borders

Barrick’s operations are a powerful engine of economic growth and social development in 12 countries. We make significant investments in our host communities that can be a catalyst for positive change, often contributing to a level of prosperity that would not otherwise exist. Barrick contributed $13 billion to the communities in which it operates in 2011. This figure includes good-paying jobs, revenue to governments and businesses, as well as strategic investments and partnerships to improve quality of life.

  Developing countries value added   $6.4 billion Barrick’s contribution to developing and emerging economies of our host countries in 2011. Includes: Peru, Tanzania, Argentina, Chile, Dominican Republic and Papua New Guinea. Barrick’s operations are helping these countries to strengthen their economies, create jobs and raise the standard of living.   Sustainable development, health care   $3 million Amount Barrick is providing in 2012 for sustainable development projects for people living near its Lumwana copper mine in Zambia.   $11 million Amount Barrick has spent on health initiatives in the last five years (2007-2011).   45 Number of communities in Peru’s La Libertad and Ancash districts that are benefiting from a $2 million contribution to World Vision that is helping improve child nutrition and maternal health.   $850,000 Invested to finance the first five years of operation of a new center for children with physical disabilities in Chile’s Atacama region.   $2 million African Barrick Gold’s investment in a water project that will bring fresh water to tens of thousands of people in rural northwest Tanzania.   $2.4 million Invested in community health in the Porgera Valley of Papua New Guinea from 2007 to 2011. The Porgera mine supports the local Paiam hospital and an award-winning vaccination program for children and women of child-bearing age, and helps combat HIV/AIDs.   400 Number of community relations employees and contractors working for Barrick in local communities, sharing information with stakeholders, addressing concerns and developing partnerships to build strong communities.   Supporting entrepreneurship   821 Number of people and groups in Chilean communities adjacent to the Pascua-Lama project that have benefited from Barrick-co-funded programs delivered by Fondepro and Fosis. Fondepro is a fund set up by the Municipality of Alto del Carmen and Barrick, while Fosis is a government agency whose mandate is to alleviate poverty in Chile. Both organizations provide entrepreneurial training and invest in small business ventures started by local residents.   Education   $46 million Spent on educational initiatives from 2005 to 2011 that range from school construction, scholarships, teacher training, computers and in-school programs. Millions more since the company’s founding in 1983.   18,000 Number of students who received Barrick-funded scholarships from 2007 to 2011.   8,000 Adults and students have participated in Barrick-supported literacy programs in Papua New Guinea. The company has also supported literacy programs in communities near its Pueblo Viejo mine in the Dominican Republic.   $1.2 million Barrick’s investment in a four-year partnership with Communities in Schools that will help at-risk students at two Nevada middle schools stay in school. Poverty is a reality for many of these students.   Developing our people, keeping them safe   15 million Hours of training provided to Barrick employees over the last five years in such areas as safety and health, environment and emergency response. Training is one of the ways Barrick invests in its employees and provides a safe and healthy environment both in the workplace and in the community.   65% Reduction in driver incidents in 2011 versus 2010. Driving incidents have been the number one safety problem in the company. Barrick installed driver mentoring systems in company vehicles at all sites. Full implementation commenced in 2010. The company invested $16 million to complete installation in 3,000 vehicles.   Environment   $75 million Contribution to conduct the cleanup of a former mining operation in the Dominican Republic. Barrick agreed to cover the costs of rehabilitating a polluted area outside the current site of the Pueblo Viejo mine to improve the local living environment. It is the largest environmental cleanup in the country’s history.   38% Of our water intake globally is from brackish or saline water sources, allowing us to maximize the availability of fresh water for community water users.   $14 million Spent on biodiversity programs to protect plants and wildlife and habitats around our operation over the last three years.   19 Of our operations are zero water discharge sites.   3 Number of years Barrick has participated in the Water Disclosure Project to promote transparency and understanding of industrial water use.   86 Number of plant and animal species we have identified on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List that are located on or near our mine sites and projects worldwide.   14% Of Barrick’s electrical power (self-generated and purchased) comes from renewable sources. We continue to explore renewable options that make sound business sense.   2.6 million Number of gigajoules of energy Barrick saved through energy conservation projects in 2011. That’s enough to support the power needs of Barrick’s 26,000 employees around the world for at least one year.   Indigenous People   $2.3 million In 2012 on programs to help indigenous peoples in Nevada achieve their potential.   Employees give back   1,500 Tanzanian students were sponsored by Barrick employees to attend school in 2012 as part of the company’s CanEducate program. That is double the number sponsored in 2011. CanEducate is a registered Canadian charity created by employees from Barrick’s corporate office to provide educational sponsorships to impoverished and at-risk children in developing countries.   A good time to be mining in Nevada   12,000 People directly employed by the Nevada mining industry, thousands more indirectly.   6% Contribution to state GDP, up from 3.5% in past few years.   $83,000 Average mining salary in Nevada – among highest in the state (vs. $41,000 average for all other industries).   7 Barrick operations and more than 5,000 direct employees in Nevada, making Barrick the largest employer in the Nevada mining industry.