Barrick Gold Corporation (NYSE:GOLD)(TSX:ABX) (“Barrick” or the
“Company”) today reported preliminary Q3 production of 943 thousand
ounces of gold and 48 thousand tonnes of copper, as well as
preliminary Q3 sales of 967 thousand ounces of gold and 42 thousand
tonnes of copper. The Company continues to expect a materially
stronger Q4 to deliver 2024 production within the range of its full
year gold and copper guidance.
The average market price for gold in Q3 was
$2,474 per ounce while the average market price for copper in Q3
was $4.18 per pound.
Preliminary Q3 gold production was in line with
Q2. Pueblo Viejo delivered a 23% sequential improvement on
continued plant optimization, whilst North Mara had a stronger
quarter driven by higher grades. At Carlin, the Gold Quarry roaster
expansion, completed during a Q3 shutdown, is expected to underpin
higher throughput and recoveries in Q4. Turquoise Ridge improved
versus Q2, with a stronger underground mining performance more than
offsetting a planned shutdown of the Sage autoclave in Q3. At
Kibali, underground development during Q3 opened up access to more
high-grade underground headings, which are expected to be further
supplemented by higher open pit grades and volumes to drive a
stronger performance in Q4. Compared to Q2, Q3 gold cost of sales
per ounce1 is expected to be 1% to 3% higher, total cash costs per
ounce2 is expected to be 3% to 5% higher and all-in sustaining
costs per ounce2 are expected to be 0% to 2% higher, in part
reflecting higher royalties from the higher gold price
received.
As expected, preliminary Q3 copper production
was higher than Q2, driven primarily by higher grades and
recoveries at Lumwana following improved ore access driven by the
ramp up in stripping activities in Q2, with further improvements
expected in Q4. Compared to Q2, Q3 copper cost of sales per pound1
is expected to be 5% to 7% higher, C1 cash costs per pound2 are
expected to be 13% to 15% higher, while all-in sustaining costs per
pound2 are expected to be 2% to 4% lower, primarily due to a
decrease in capitalized waste stripping at Lumwana.
Barrick will provide additional discussion and
analysis regarding its third quarter 2024 production and sales when
the Company reports its quarterly results before North American
markets open on November 7, 2024.
The following table includes preliminary gold
and copper production and sales results from Barrick's
operations:
|
Three months endedSeptember 30, 2024 |
Nine months endedSeptember 30, 2024 |
|
Production |
Sales |
Production |
Sales |
Gold (attributable ounces (000)) |
|
|
Carlin (61.5%) |
182 |
183 |
589 |
592 |
Cortez (61.5%) |
98 |
99 |
319 |
321 |
Turquoise Ridge (61.5%) |
76 |
77 |
210 |
209 |
Phoenix (61.5%) |
29 |
28 |
88 |
89 |
Nevada Gold Mines (61.5%) |
385 |
387 |
1,206 |
1,211 |
Loulo-Gounkoto (80%) |
144 |
135 |
422 |
412 |
Pueblo Viejo (60%) |
98 |
96 |
259 |
257 |
North Mara (84%) |
75 |
78 |
175 |
174 |
Kibali (45%) |
71 |
77 |
229 |
230 |
Veladero (50%) |
57 |
78 |
170 |
179 |
Bulyanhulu (84%) |
37 |
37 |
124 |
121 |
Hemlo |
30 |
28 |
104 |
105 |
Tongon (89.7%) |
28 |
32 |
109 |
113 |
Porgera
(24.5%) |
18 |
19 |
33 |
31 |
Total Gold |
943 |
967 |
2,831 |
2,833 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Copper
(attributable tonnes (000)) |
|
|
Lumwana |
30 |
26 |
77 |
73 |
Zaldívar (50%) |
10 |
10 |
29 |
28 |
Jabal
Sayid (50%) |
8 |
6 |
25 |
22 |
Total Copper |
48 |
42 |
131 |
123 |
Third Quarter 2024 Results
Barrick will release its Q3 2024 results before
market open on November 7, 2024. President and CEO Mark Bristow
will host a live presentation of the results that day in London, UK
at 11:00 EST/16:00 UTC, with an interactive webinar linked to a
conference call. Participants will be able to ask questions.
Go to the webinarUS and Canada
(toll-free), 1 844 763 8274UK (toll), +44 20 3795 9972International
(toll), +1 647 484 8814
The Q3 2024 presentation materials will be
available on Barrick’s website at www.barrick.com.
The webinar will remain on the website for later
viewing, and the conference call will be available for replay by
telephone at 1 855 669 9658 (US and Canada toll-free) and +1 412
317 0088 (international toll), replay access code 8607451.
Enquiries:
Kathy du PlessisInvestor and Media Relations+44
20 7557 7738barrick@dpapr.com
Website: www.barrick.com
Technical Information
The scientific and technical information
contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by:
Craig Fiddes, SME-RM, Lead, Resource Modeling, Nevada Gold Mines;
Simon Bottoms, CGeol, MGeol, FGS, FAusIMM, Mineral Resource
Management and Evaluation Executive (in this capacity, Mr. Bottoms
is responsible on an interim basis for scientific and technical
information relating to the Latin America and Asia Pacific region);
and Richard Peattie, MPhil, FAusIMM, Mineral Resources Manager:
Africa and Middle East—each a “Qualified Person” as defined in
National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral
Projects.
Endnote 1
Gold cost of sales per ounce is calculated as
cost of sales across our gold operations (excluding sites in care
and maintenance) divided by ounces sold (both on an attributable
basis, based on Barrick’s ownership share). Copper cost of sales
per pound is calculated as cost of sales across our copper
operations divided by pounds sold (both on an attributable basis,
based on Barrick’s ownership share).
References to attributable basis means our 100%
share of Hemlo and Lumwana, our 89.7% share of Tongon, our 84%
share of North Mara and Bulyanhulu, our 80% share of
Loulo-Gounkoto, our 61.5% share of Nevada Gold Mines, our 60% share
of Pueblo Viejo, our 50% share of Veladero, Zaldívar and Jabal
Sayid, our 24.5% share of Porgera and our 45% share of Kibali.
Endnote 2
"Total cash costs per ounce" and "all-in
sustaining costs per ounce" are non-GAAP financial measures which
are calculated based on the definition published by the World Gold
Council ("WGC") (a market development organization for the gold
industry comprised of and funded by gold mining companies from
around the world, including Barrick). The WGC is not a regulatory
organization. Management uses these measures to monitor the
performance of our gold mining operations and its ability to
generate positive cash flow, both on an individual site basis and
an overall company basis.
Total cash costs start with our cost of sales
related to gold production and removes depreciation, the
non-controlling interest of cost of sales and includes by-product
credits. All-in sustaining costs start with total cash costs and
include sustaining capital expenditures, sustaining leases,
general and administrative costs, minesite exploration and
evaluation costs and reclamation cost accretion and amortization.
These additional costs reflect the expenditures made to maintain
current production levels.
We believe that our use of total cash costs and
all-in sustaining costs will assist analysts, investors and other
stakeholders of Barrick in understanding the costs associated with
producing gold, understanding the economics of gold mining,
assessing our operating performance and also our ability to
generate free cash flow from current operations and to generate
free cash flow on an overall company basis. Due to the
capital-intensive nature of the industry and the long useful lives
over which these items are depreciated, there can be a significant
timing difference between net earnings calculated in accordance
with IFRS and the amount of free cash flow that is being generated
by a mine and therefore we believe these measures are useful
non-GAAP operating metrics and supplement our IFRS disclosures.
These measures are not representative of all of our cash
expenditures as they do not include income tax payments, interest
costs or dividend payments. These measures do not include
depreciation or amortization.
Total cash costs per ounce and all-in sustaining
costs per ounce are intended to provide additional information only
and do not have standardized definitions under IFRS and should not
be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of
performance prepared in accordance with IFRS. These measures are
not equivalent to net income or cash flow from operations as
determined under IFRS. Although the WGC has published a
standardized definition, other companies may calculate these
measures differently.
"C1 cash costs per pound" and "all-in sustaining
costs per pound" are non-GAAP financial measures related to our
copper mine operations. We believe that C1 cash costs per pound
enables investors to better understand the performance of our
copper operations in comparison to other copper producers who
present results on a similar basis. C1 cash costs per pound
excludes royalties and production taxes and non-routine charges as
they are not direct production costs. All-in sustaining costs per
pound is similar to the gold all-in sustaining costs metric and
management uses this to better evaluate the costs of copper
production. We believe this measure enables investors to better
understand the operating performance of our copper mines as this
measure reflects all of the sustaining expenditures incurred in
order to produce copper. All-in sustaining costs per pound includes
C1 cash costs, sustaining capital expenditures, sustaining leases,
general and administrative costs, minesite exploration and
evaluation costs, royalties and production taxes, reclamation cost
accretion and amortization and write-downs taken on inventory to
net realizable value.
Barrick will provide a full reconciliation of
these non-GAAP financial measures when the Company reports its
quarterly results on November 7, 2024.
Cautionary Statements Regarding Preliminary
Third Quarter Production, Sales and Costs for
2024, and Forward-Looking Information
Barrick cautions that, whether or not expressly
stated, all third quarter figures contained in this press release
including, without limitation, production levels, sales and
associated costs are preliminary, and reflect our expected third
quarter results as of the date of this press release. Actual
reported third quarter production levels, sales and associated
costs are subject to management’s final review, as well as review
by the Company’s independent accounting firm, and may vary
significantly from those expectations because of a number of
factors, including, without limitation, additional or revised
information, and changes in accounting standards or policies, or in
how those standards are applied. Barrick will provide additional
discussion and analysis and other important information about its
third quarter production levels, sales and associated costs when it
reports actual results on November 7, 2024. For a complete
picture of the Company’s financial performance, it will be
necessary to review all of the information in the Company’s third
quarter financial report and related MD&A. Accordingly, readers
are cautioned not to rely solely on the information contained
herein.
Finally, Barrick cautions that this press
release contains forward-looking statements with respect to: (i)
Barrick’s expected fourth quarter production and ability to deliver
within the range of its full year gold and copper guidance; and
(ii) costs per ounce for gold and per pound for copper.
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 or 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; the
resumption of operations at the Porgera mine and expected ramp up
of mining and processing in 2024; 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, including disruptions in the supply of key mining
inputs due to the invasion of Ukraine by Russia and conflicts in
the Middle East; whether benefits expected from recent transactions
are realized; quantities or grades of reserves will be diminished,
and that resources may not be converted to 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, tailings dam and storage
facilities failures, and disruptions in the maintenance or
provision of required infrastructure and information technology
systems; 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; failure to comply with
environmental and health and safety laws and regulations; increased
costs and physical risks, including extreme weather events and
resource shortages, related to climate change; timing of, receipt
of, or failure to comply with, necessary permits and approvals;
non-renewal of key licenses by governmental authorities;
uncertainty whether some or all of targeted investments and
projects will meet the Company’s capital allocation objectives and
internal hurdle rate; 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;
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; fluctuations in the currency
markets; 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 Canada, the United States, and other jurisdictions in which the
Company or its affiliates do or may carry on business in the
future; lack of certainty with respect to foreign legal systems,
corruption and other factors that are inconsistent with the rule of
law; 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,
terrorism, sabotage and civil disturbances; risks associated with
artisanal and illegal mining; risks associated with diseases,
epidemics and pandemics; litigation and legal and administrative
proceedings; 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; our ability to
successfully integrate acquisitions or complete divestitures; risks
associated with working with partners in jointly controlled assets;
employee relations including loss of key employees; 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 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.
Barrick disclaims 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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