Kinshasa, April 21nd, 2021 (CPA).– Barrick CEO Mark Bristow asserted that Kibali Gold mine operated by Barrick Gold in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), produced 191,612 ounces of gold, during the first quarter of 2021, learned CPA on Wednesday from the headquarters of this mining company in Kinshasa.
According to the source, Mr. Mark Bristow, during a lively press conference recently in Kinshasa, indicated that this production allows Kibali Gold to respect the forecasts and to reach its goal for the whole year. « The operation of the underground mine was once again the driving force behind production, and the continuous improvements in the power supply and recovery rates of the plant, also contributed to the performance of Kibali Gold which is in line with the forecast plotted by the company ”, he declared, before adding that during the 1st quarter, the costs of electricity production were advantageous, thanks to the high water level of the rivers feeding the three power plants hydroelectric power from the mine, supplying most of its energy needs.
He specified that this electricity network has recently been improved by the installation of a 9 MW battery support system. This new system will also reduce the need for backup diesel power, in line with the mine’s strategy to reduce its carbon footprint.
For him, strict compliance with prevention protocols against Covid-19 helped protect the mine from the impact of the second wave of the pandemic.
As for the future outlook, Mark Bristow clarified that Kibali Gold has secured other opencast mining opportunities, in order to balance its underground mine, continue to replace reserves and add flexibility to operations to support its ten-year plan. He said that on the social level, his company maintains its investment in community development, among other things by advancing the concrete works of a 1.5 km section of road built in Durba, in Haut Uele province, the provision of additional sources of drinking water in the surrounding villages, the granting of local vouchers to the employees of Kibali Gold in order to stimulate the economy of Durba, the support to Garamba national park for the fight against poaching.
“We look forward to working closely with the President of the Republic, Felix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo and the government led Prime Minister, Jean Michel Sama Lukonde Kyenge, in order to strengthen our partnership with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and resolve some outstanding issues concerning the Mining Code and the repatriation of capital, ”concluded according to the source, Mr. Bristow. ACP/
