SANTO DOMINGO.- La mina de Pueblo Viejo operada por Barrick continúa avanzando en el diseño de ingeniería para el proyecto de la instalación de almacenamiento de relaves (TSF) de El Naranjo, que extenderá su vida hasta 2040 y más allá, dijo hoy el presidente y director ejecutivo Mark Bristow1. La expansión de la planta y su nuevo TSF están diseñados para mantener la producción de oro por encima de 800koz por año (100% base) en el futuro1.
Hablando en una conferencia de prensa local, Bristow dijo que el proceso integral de ingeniería, ambiental y comunitario, llevado a cabo durante varios años, permitiría a Pueblo Viejo duplicar la enorme contribución que ha realizado a la economía de la República Dominicana.
En línea con su compromiso con la transparencia, Bristow detalló el proceso que condujo a la emisión de la licencia ambiental recibida recientemente para el nuevo TSF. Esto comenzó con una selección exhaustiva del sitio en línea con el Estándar Global de la Industria sobre Gestión de Relaves (GISTM) y en consulta con el Gobierno y las comunidades.
Después del proceso de selección del sitio, se completó una Evaluación de Impacto Ambiental y Social (EIAS) que consideró los impactos potenciales asociados con los sitios preferidos y alternativos. Esto implicó la realización de numerosos estudios especializados realizados por expertos independientes nacionales e internacionales, que incluyó una revisión independiente por homólogos.
La compañía consultó con las partes interesadas y afectadas en el transcurso de cuatro años, incluyendo más de 3,000 relacionamientos comunitarios y dos vistas públicas de participación abierta. En línea con el compromiso de la compañía con la transparencia y las mejores prácticas, las reuniones públicas abiertas se anunciaron en los medios de comunicación locales y nacionales y permitieron suficientes oportunidades para que todas las partes plantearan inquietudes, preguntas y comentarios durante todo el proceso.
"La minería es el motor del desarrollo global y hasta la fecha, Pueblo Viejo ha pagado un total de US$3,200 millones en impuestos directos e indirectos desde que comenzó la producción comercial en 2013. La extensión de la vida de la mina permitirá que Pueblo Viejo continúe siendo un importante creador de valor para la República Dominicana y su gente en el futuro", dijo Bristow.
Acerca de Pueblo Viejo
Pueblo Viejo se encuentra en la República Dominicana, aproximadamente a 100 kilómetros al noroeste de la ciudad capital de Santo Domingo y es operado por Pueblo Viejo Dominicana, una empresa conjunta entre Barrick (60%) y Newmont (40%).
La construcción del proyecto Pueblo Viejo comenzó en 2008, con la primera producción en 2012. La fuerza laboral de la compañía es 98% dominicana. En 2020, se completó con éxito la conversión de la planta de energía Quisqueya 1 de la mina a gas natural. Esta conversión de fuel oil a gas natural disminuirá las emisiones de gases de efecto invernadero, reduciendo aún más el impacto de Pueblo Viejo en el medio ambiente. También se ejecuta un proyecto de agronegocios como un beneficio adicional para las comunidades locales.
Endnote
1. Consulte el Informe Técnico sobre la Mina Pueblo Viejo, República Dominicana, de fecha 17 de marzo de 2023 y presentado en SEDAR en www.sedar.com y EDGAR en www.sec.gov el 17 de marzo de 2023.
Información técnica
La información científica y técnica contenida en esta presentación ha sido revisada y aprobada por Chad Yuhasz, P.Geo, Mineral Resource Management, Latin America & Asia Pacific y John Steele, CIM, Ejecutivo de Metalurgia, Ingeniería y Proyectos de Capital – cada uno una "Persona Calificada" como se define en el Instrumento Nacional 43-101 – Estándar de Divulgación para Proyectos Minerales.
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 “extend”, “will”, “commitment”, “allow”, “continue”, “advance”, “project”, “expand”, “could”, “would”, “should”, “may” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. In particular, this press release contains forward-looking statements including, without limitation, with respect to: the design and construction of the new El Naranjo tailings storage facility project at Pueblo Viejo; the anticipated benefits of the plant expansion and new TSF including the extension of the life of the mine and expected minimum production profile; the issuance of the environmental permit for the El Naranjo tailings storage facility and related Environmental and Social Impact Assessment process; and Barrick’s strategy, plans, targets and goals in respect of environmental and social governance issues in the Dominican Republic, including local community relations, economic contributions, and value creation.
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); risks associated with projects in the early stages of evaluation and for which additional engineering and other analysis is required; changes in mineral production performance, exploitation and exploration successes; lack of certainty with respect to foreign legal systems, corruption and other factors that are inconsistent with the rule of law; 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 the Dominican Republic or other countries in which Barrick does or may carry on business in the future; risks relating to political instability in certain of the jurisdictions in which Barrick operates; timing of receipt of, or failure to comply with, necessary permits and approvals for the El Naranjo TSF; increased costs and physical and transition risks related to climate change, including extreme weather events, resource shortages, emerging policies and increased regulations relating to greenhouse gas emission levels; 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; litigation and legal and administrative proceedings; 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; increased costs, delays, suspensions and technical challenges associated with the construction of capital projects; risks associated with working with partners in jointly controlled assets; risks related to 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; the impact of inflation, including global inflationary pressures driven by supply chain disruptions caused by the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, global energy cost increases following the invasion of Ukraine by Russia; and risks associated with diseases, epidemics and pandemics, including the effects and potential effects of the global Covid-19 pandemic
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.
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.
