Barrick Committed to ESG Leadership, Says Executive Chairman
PRESS RELEASE
NYSE : GOLD TSX : ABX
BARRICK COMMITTED TO ESG LEADERSHIP,
SAYS EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN
Toronto, April 1, 2022 – Barrick Gold Corporation (NYSE:GOLD)(TSX:ABX) (“Barrick”) – Good ESG
management is essential to Barrick’s vision of becoming the world’s most valued gold and copper company,
says executive chairman John Thornton in the company’s 2022 Information Circular published today and
available now at www.barrick.com/agm and also filed on SEDAR ( www.sedar.com) and EDGAR
(www.sec.gov).
The principles of ESG have long been entrenched in Barrick’s commitment to partnership-based business
objectives, a philosophy built on engagement, transparency and caring, which recognises the importance
not only of the shareholders who own the company but also of its other stakeholders: employees, host
countries, the communities around the mines and the company’s business partners.
“Our rigorous focus on performance and execution against our sustainability strategy enables us to develop
and maintain trusted long-term partnerships with all stakeholders,” says Thornton. “In an industry first, we
published an open and honest assessment of our actions in the form of a scorecard in our Sustainability
Report in 2019. The third of these scorecards will appear in the 2021 Sustainability Report, to be published
in the second quarter of 2022. Like its predecessors , the 2021 report will objectively track our progress
against key metrics and highlight areas which need improvement, providing stakeholders with a valuabl e
insight into this important part of our business , as well as demonstrating Barrick’s commitment to ESG
leadership.”
Also in the I nformation Circular, lead independent director Brett Harvey noted that the Board was
maintaining its focus on board renewal and diversity. Since the merger with Randgold, it has appointed six
new directors , including three women. Female directors now form 27% of the B oard and 33% of the
independent directors.
“Barrick’s human capital strategy, including our approach to promoting diversity, continues to be a critical
enabler of positive change ,” says Harvey. “By prioritizing local employment – 96% of our employees are
host country nationals – we naturally grow the ethnic and cultural diversity of our workforce.”
Due to the ongoing public health concerns related to the global pandemic and to mitigate health risks to all
stakeholders, this annual meeting will again be virtual. The company will monitor the situation closely and
provide a physical location if conditions allow. The Information Circular details how to participate, how to
vote and how to contact the Board and the company.
Barrick’s 2022 Annual Meeting of Shareholders will be held on May 3, 2022 at 10:00 am (Toronto time) at
web.lumiagm.com/476307397. A live webcast of the meeting will also be available at
www.barrick.com/agm.
Enquiries:
Mark Bristow
President and CEO
+1 647 205 7694
+ 44 788 071 1386
Graham Shuttleworth
Senior EVP and CFO
+1 647 262 2095
+44 779 771 1338
Kathy du Plessis
Investor and Media Relations
+44 20 7557 7738
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.barrick.com
BARRICK GOLD CORPORATION PRESS RELEASE
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 “commit”, “vision”,
“enable”, “develop”, “maintain”, “will”, “focus”, “promote”, “enable” and similar expressions identify forward-looking
statements. In particular, this press rel ease contains forward-looking statements including, without limitation, with
respect to: Barrick’s vision to be the world’s most valued mining company; the anticipated benefits of Barrick’s
sustainability strategy and Sustainability Scorecard; Barrick’s focus on increasing Board and workforce diversity; and
Barrick’s intention to make a physical location available on May 3 , 2022 for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders if
circumstances related to Covid-19 allow.
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); the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development;
changes in mineral production performance, exploitation and exploration successes; 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 mai ntenance 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; changes in national and local gov ernment 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 Canada, the United States and other jurisdic tions in which the company or its
affiliates do or may carry on business in the future; timing of receipt of, or failure to comply with, necessary permits and
approvals; uncertainty whether some or targeted investments and projects will meet the company’s capital allocation
objectives and internal hurdle rate; 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 w ith 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;
risk of loss due to acts of war, terr orism, 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; our ability
to successfully integrate acquisitions or com plete divestitures; 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 climat e 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 accide nts, 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 uncert ainties 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 statement s 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 the company’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.