Wherever we operate, we work closely with communities, governments and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to help communities prosper. We believe that Barrick’s business objectives and sustainable development go hand in hand.
In many places where Barrick operates, there is a need to strengthen existing social structures and infrastructure to adequately respond to community needs. Barrick’s capacity-building activities are focused on strengthening local economies. These initiatives are varied and include infrastructure development, such as building roads, power sources, schools, medical clinics and water wells, education, training, scholarship and apprenticeship programs, as well as support for the development of local suppliers and other community initiatives.
Barrick recognizes that an educated population is vital to emerging economies in the 21st century. We make significant investments in education, including the construction of primary and secondary schools, the provision of teacher training and resources and student scholarship programs. In Tanzania, the company’s six-year $2 million education program with CARE International Tanzania resulted in a doubling of high school enrolment in the Kahama District, the construction of a new secondary school and a better quality of education for thousands of children and youth living near our Bulyanhulu mine.
Other recent initiatives include the construction of primary and secondary schools near our mines and projects in Tanzania (pictured) and near our Pierina mine in Peru.
More:New improved primary school opens near Buzwagi Remote Tanzania community welcomes first high school
Globally, Barrick is committed to building healthier communities. We recognize that poor health, malnutrition and disease perpetuate a cycle of poverty. In areas of South America, Tanzania and Papua New Guinea, preventing the spread of diseases and improving access to health services and clean water are a focus of our community programs. In Tanzania, Barrick has well-established health facilities and programs in place to combat HIV/AIDS and malaria. We work with AMREF and the community to raise awareness and encourage people to get tested and seek treatment. In rural Peru, Barrick’s $2.3 million program with World Vision is taking direct aim at child malnutrition and helping families. In North America and Australia, where advanced health systems exist, the focus is on healthy living and disease prevention.
More: In Conversation with Barrick’s Chief Medical Officer Global Report: Focus on Healthy Communities Read about Barrick’s involvement World AIDS Day 2008
In Chile, Barrick continues to offer training courses and workshops in the Huasco Valley to give local residents the skills they will need to work at Pascua-Lama or in a related industry. To date, more than 3,500 people have participated in courses ranging from basic industrial knowledge, to skilled trades, construction and local crafts.
Also in 2007, at our North Mara mine in Tanzania, we began construction of a 350 kilometer power line which will supply power to our mine and to 67,000 community residents. A similar project is also underway in the town of Kakola, near Barrick’s Bulyanhulu mine, where Barrick is financing a $500,000 project to bring electricity to the community for the first time, in partnership with the TANESCO, Tanzania’s national power utility. The electrification process is just one aspect of the company’s broader effort to improve the standard of living for Kakola residents.
More: On the grid: Tanzanian community gets infrastructure boost Investing in innovative energy projects
Having quality roads and other infrastructure in place provides not only more convenient access to services for residents, it also generates economic opportunities for communities. Near our Porgera mine in Papua New Guinea, we spent $2.5 million on road construction and maintenance and have made significant contributions to construct or improve health care facilities and medical aid posts. The company has also invested over $2.8 million in water infrastructure around Tanzania’s Lake Victoria area that, in addition to supplying our Bulyanhulu mine, is providing clean water to villages, schools, health centers and other facilities in the region.
More: New road drives development at Porgera A legacy of safe water in Tanzania New bridge means safer crossing for Peruvian village A hospital ward for sick children in Argentina Nevada housing program aided growth
At Bulyanhulu, Barrick is working in partnership with our catering services provider, Sodexho, enabling over 100 local farmers to tap into the demand for fresh produce at the mine. This local procurement program is enabling villages in the area that once existed on subsistence farming activities to generate as much as $50,000 per year in income.
Other examples of supplier development initiatives: Driving local procurement, Porgera’s trucking suppliers go national Barrick helps farmers in Argentina cultivate new markets
We also trained representatives from five communities neighboring our Lagunas Norte mine to participate in water monitoring activities on the local Perejil and Chuyuhual Rivers.
More: Community monitors water at Lagunas Norte