Barrick and Papua New Guinea Progress Porgera Negotiations
PRESS RELEASE
NYSE : GOLD TSX : ABX
BARRICK AND PAPUA NEW GUINEA
PROGRESS PORGERA NEGOTIATIONS
Toronto – April 5, 2021 – Barrick Gold Corporation (NYSE:GOLD)(TSX:ABX) notes the
statement released by Papua New Guinea prime minister James Marape announcing an
imminent agreement to reopen Porgera mine. Barrick and the Government of Papua New Guinea
have continued to hold constructive discussions on a framework agreement for the
recommissioning of Porgera, which has been on care and maintenance since April 2020.
The agreement under discussion is in line with the principles announced in October, providing for
a joint venture between Barrick Niugini Limited (BNL) and the gov ernment of PNG to operate
Porgera going forward on the basis of increased PNG ownership and a fair sharing of economic
benefits. BNL would continue as the operator of the mine. We remain hopeful that we will reach
agreement with the PNG Government on a long-term partnership that will see the reopening of
Porgera in the near future.
A further statement will be issued once a final agreement is achieved.
About Porgera
The Porgera Joint Venture is an open pit and underground gold mine located at an altitude of
2,200-2,600 metres in the Enga Province of Papua New Guinea, about 600 kilometres north-west
of Port Moresby. BNL is a joint venture company in which Barrick and Ziji n Mining Group each
own 50%.
Enquiries:
Kathy du Plessis
Investor and Media Relations
+44 20 7557 7738
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.barrick.com
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 “progress”, “negotiations”, “imminent”, “continue”,
“discussion”, “expect”, “will”, “would”, “remain”, “future” and similar expr essions identify forward-
looking statements. In particular, this press release contains forward-looking statements
including, without limitation, with respect to: the statement released by Papua New Guinea Prime
Minister James Marape announcing an imminent agreement to reopen the Porgera mine; the
status of discussions with the government of Papua New Guinea to reopen the Porgera mine and
resume production in line with the agreement in principle announced in October 2020, and the
BARRICK GOLD CORPORATION PRESS RELEASE
expected terms and timeline to finalize the proposed framework agreement; the duration of the
temporary suspension of operations at Porgera; Barrick and BNL’s response to the government
of Papua New Guinea’s decision not to extend Porgera’s special mining lease; and expectations
regarding financial performance 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 a nd
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); the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development;
changes in mineral production pe rformance, exploitation and exploration successes; risks
associated with projects in the early stages of evaluation and for which additional engineering and
other analysis is required; disruption of supply routes which may cause delays in construction and
mining activities at Barrick’s more remote properties; diminishing quantities or grades of reserves;
increased costs, delays, suspensions and technical challenges associated with the construction
of capital projects; operating or technical difficulties in connection with mining or development
activities, including geotechnical challenges and disruptions in the maintenance or provision of
required infrastructure and information technology systems; failure to comply with environmental
and health and safety laws and regulations; non-renewal of key licences by governmental
authorities, including non-renewal of Porgera’s Special Mining Lease; changes in national and
local government legislation, taxation, controls or regulations and/or changes in the administration
of laws, policies and practices; expropriation or nationalization of property and political or
economic developments in Papua New Guinea; timing of receipt of, or failure to comply with,
necessary permits and approvals; lack of certainty with respect to foreign legal systems,
corruption and other factors that are inconsistent with the rule of law; risks associated with illegal
and artisanal mining; risks associated with new diseases, epidemics and pandemics, including
the effects and potential effects of the global Covid-19 pandemic; 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; the possibility that future exploration results will not be
consistent with the Company’s expectations; 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; risk of loss due to acts
of war, terrorism, sabotage and civil disturbances; litigation; contests over title to properties,
particularly title to undeveloped properties, or over access to water, power and other required
infrastructure; business opportunities that may be presented to, or pursued by, the Company;
risks associated with working with partners in jointly controlled assets; employee relations
including loss of key employees; increased costs and physical risks, including extreme weather
events and resource shortages, related to climate change; and availability and increased costs
associated with mining inputs and labor. 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
BARRICK GOLD CORPORATION PRESS RELEASE
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 expres sed 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-look ing statements
whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by
applicable law.