The projects implemented through the company’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) arrangement significantly targets improving educational infrastructure.
Barrick president and chief executive Mark Bristow told the press in Bulyanhulu on Sunday that just in the first tranche that started in July 2023 the company has disbursed 25.15bn/- ($10million) for infrastructure development projects covering 64 schools.
“The programme has so far seen construction of 396 classrooms, 97 dormitories and 600 ablution blocks,” said Bristow.
Upon completion, he said, the programme will facilitate construction of 1,090 classrooms, 270 dormitories and 1,640 ablution blocks across 161 schools.
He pointed out that through a joint venture company-Twiga Minerals Corporation the miner is also progressing its $40 million pledge to build a world-class 73 Kilometre road from Bulyanhulu to the new Kahama airport.
On the company’s business trends, Bristow said that Barrick’s North Mara and Bulyanhulu gold mines have sustained their strong performance and achieved their production guidance for 2023. The mines are part of Twiga Minerals joint venture.
He said the transformation of two derelict mines into a world-class complex which, on a combined basis, produces gold at a Tier One level.
“The Twiga partnership has not only transformed Tanzania’s gold mining industry, it has also re-established the country, well-known as one Africa’s most popular tourism attractions, as a prime investment destination that has a wealth of metal and mineral resources,” he said.
He asserted that conversion drilling at both mines has again replenished their reserves after depletion.
At North Mara, the potential for another underground operation is being explored while the optimization of its open cast mine plan is expected to add years to its life.
At Bulyanhulu, he said, there are near-surface opportunities with the potential for increasing production and mining flexibility.
Bristow said since Barrick took over the Tanzanian mines in 2019 they had grown into the largest contributor to the government’s revenue, through taxes, employment, payments to local suppliers, community projects and distributions to shareholders.
Its investment in the economy to date totals more than $3.4 billion (on a 100 percent basis).
“Perhaps even more important, these mines are now widely respected as value-adding partners and community members. Among the many accolades they have received, Barrick Tanzania has been certified as a top employer for its people management programs,” said Bristow.
The Association of Tanzania Employers (ATE) crowned Barrick North Mara as the 2023 employer of the year and the company with the best social responsibility program.
In the health and safety arena, North Mara won the 2023 OSHA Compliance award with Bulyanhulu as first runner-up, and Bulyanhulu also received an award for excellence in crisis management.
As part of the Buzwagi mine closure plan and to improve the transportation system in the area, Barrick’s Buzwagi gold mine in partnership with the Tanzania’s Airport Authority funded the building of a new terminal at the Kahama airport.
The new airport terminal building will serve more than 200 passengers at a time and has a full range of facilities. It is expected to be a catalyst for economic growth in the Kahama region.
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