NEWS

Thursday 27 October 2022

Gold production at North Mara increases sharply as research shows impressing results, says Barrick President


Barrick Gold Corporation President and CEO, Mr Mark Bristow, addresses a press conference at Ingwe Secondary School, Nyamongo in Tarime Region last Saturday. (Photo: Mara Online News)

By Staff Writer in Nyamongo
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PRODUCTION of gold at North Mara Gold mine has increased sharply while research shows that the life of the mine is set to expand, the President and CEO of Barrick Gold Corporation, Mr Mark Bristow has said.

Increased production has also been recorded at the Bulyanhulu mine in Shinyanga Region.

Barrick Gold owns the giant mining companies, both of which are operated in partnership with the government of Tanzania through its Twiga Minerals Corporation.

Addressing the press at Ingwe Secondary School in Nyamongo, a couple of kilometers from North Mara Gold in Tarime last Saturday, Mr Bristow said some 505,000 tons of ore and waste were mined during the last quarter (July 1 to September 30, 2022).

The President and CEO said the remarkable achievements resulted from improvement of mining activities, workers’ commitment and partnership with the government.

Barrick Gold, he said, has invested over 5 trillion/-, since the acquisition of North Mara and Bulyanhulu Gold mines in 2019, making the two mines among leading contributors in the national economy.

“Barrick has contributed immensely in the country’s economy, and 96 per cent of our workers are Tanzanian,” said the Barrick chief.

According to Mr Bristow, in the last quarter, the two mines spent USD 339 million to pay Tanzanian suppliers and service providers.

The mines are set to achieve a combined production in excess of 500,000 ounces for the second year running.

“We continue targeting more growth, through research and key licensing. Potential expansion opportunities are being evaluated at Gokona and Bulyanhulu,” he said.

“Results of underground operations at Gokona show potential extension of North Mara’s life,” the Barrick President said in the meeting with the press which was also attended by leaders of villagers surrounding the mine.

He said Barrick has a clear future plan for the expansion of activities of its two mines.

“Better understanding of the geological architecture of the region’s mining zone will enhance our potential to discover new world class opportunities,” said Mr Bristow, who also hinted that on the same day, he had an opportunity to meet with President Samia Suluhu Hassan, during which they discussed the Twiga Minerals partnership and education sector development, pointing out that Barrick will continue to offer its support to the government in this area.

On his part, Barrick General Manager in Tanzania, Dr Melkiory Ngido said there has been no major incident regarding safety or environmental hazards reported by the two Barrick mines in the last quarter.

“Our safety and environmental records since January up to the last quarter, are of high standards,” said Dr Ngido.

On investment in social service development, Dr Ngido said that Barrick Company has disbursed a staggering 17bn/-, through it CSR Programme, with emphasis on education, water, health, economy and food security in villages surrounding North Mara and Bulyanhulu mines.

In another development, Dr Ngido said the former Buzwagi mine is being changed into a special investment area.

Before winding up the meeting, the President of Barrick presented a USD 40,000 for education support to children living in difficult environment.

Other leaders who attended the meeting include Deputy Minister for Minerals, Dr Steven Kiruswa, Mara Regional Acting Commissioner, Dr Yahaya Nawanda, Tarime District Commissioner, Col. Michael Mntenjele and Member of Parliament for Tarime Rural Constituency, Mwita Waitara.

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