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Introduction

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North Mara / Introduction

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At Barrick, sustainability is fundamental and foundational to the business. Barrick strives to be the world’s most valued gold and copper miner, operating across a broad global footprint with diverse geographies and cultures, including remote regions where local communities face unique daily challenges—economically, geographically, socially, and environmentally.

Barrick’s vision has always been to create long-term value for all its stakeholders. Wherever it operates, Barrick is committed to driving social and economic development in its host communities and countries, and to managing the impact of its business on the natural environment responsibly. The mining sector can be a powerful catalyst in social and economic development, directly supporting local communities and entrepreneurs and bringing together all stakeholders for collective action. Mining is central to the world achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)—a collection of goals to reach a vision of eradicating global poverty and living in equitable prosperity.

North Mara Gold Mine in Tanzania, with a large open-pit excavation and winding haul roads under a dramatic sunset sky.
Today, North Mara employs 96% of host nationals with 46% of employees from local communities.

Barrick sees mining as a flywheel for development and for achieving the SDGs. The company is guided by the principle that responsible mining will have a positive and transformative impact on global development and uplifting disadvantaged communities. Barrick focuses on four key areas: creating economic benefits, protecting health and safety, respecting human rights, and minimizing environmental impacts. This is particularly important in emerging countries where mining companies are in a unique position to help develop local and national economies and support community resilience.

The North Mara Gold Mine in Tanzania is an example of Barrick’s sustainability practices in action and serves as a model for how to operate in developing regions. Through real partnerships with the local community and government, Barrick is helping address the longstanding challenges the region faces while ensuring that Barrick’s presence is a positive force fostering a strong community, environment, and economy.

Prior to the establishment of Twiga Minerals in 2019, a joint venture between Barrick and the Government of Tanzania, the North Mara and Bulyanhulu mines were rundown and at a standstill due to a dispute between the government and the previous operators. Since then, Barrick has significantly reinvented the mines, which together now produce gold as a Tier One complex. It has also addressed the legacy issues, rebuilt trust, and restored the social license to operate as an integral member of the community. Key to this has been the creation of the Community Development Committees (CDCs), whose role is to allocate community investment to projects and initiatives identified and considered most critical by local stakeholders.

Today, 96% of North Mara’s employees are host nationals, and 46% are from local communities. North Mara is truly a national asset, run by Tanzanians for Tanzanians. The Barrick-owned mines were recognized as the largest taxpayer in Tanzania in 2021 and 2022 and have contributed almost $3 billion since 2019. Community investments made through the CDCs have been directed to major projects to support access to clean water, quality healthcare, education development across all of Tanzania, and infrastructure improvement. Barrick also continues to address a number of legacy social and economic challenges in the area, including those related to resettlement, land acquisition, and safety.

North Mara has been and remains a key asset for Barrick. The company is extremely proud of its progress since 2019, but recognizes that the work is not yet done.