TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 8, 2003--
All amounts in United States dollars
Barrick Gold Corporation (NYSE:ABX) (TSX:ABX) (LSE:ABX)
(PARIS:ABX) (Swiss:ABX) and World Vision Canada today announced an
initiative to support child-centered, sustainable community
development in northern Peru. The development program will last
approximately 12 years and involve social investments in the region.
The program, which is among the first major corporate/charitable
development partnerships in the region, will rely on community
meetings to set priorities in such areas as improving education,
health care and nutrition, providing drinking water and developing
micro-enterprises that benefit the well-being of whole communities. It
will serve about 7,800 people, half under 18 years of age, living in
the mountainous region of Ancash, in north-central Peru. The area has
a high incidence of child malnutrition and low literacy levels, as
well as low crop productivity among subsistence farmers.
The initiative is based on Barrick's and World Vision's shared
emphasis on the well-being of children, community self-determination
and sustainable social and economic development. It complements
Barrick's existing contributions to community development work in the
area, where the Pierina Mine is located. Last year, Barrick's
investment in community causes and charities totaled more than
$700,000.
"Our partnership with World Vision is a natural extension of
Barrick's commitment to mining responsibly, and sharing lasting
benefits with the communities and countries where we operate," said
Barrick President and Chief Executive Officer Greg Wilkins. "We teamed
up with World Vision on this project because of their global track
record as a relief and development organization in close to 100
countries. We know they have the knowledge and skills to help build
stronger, more resilient communities."
World Vision partners with corporations who maintain positive and
ethical business practices. "Barrick's interest in the well-being of
the local people is evident; they have demonstrated it by funding or
building health care facilities, schools, and roads, as well as by
providing skills training and hundreds of jobs," said World Vision
Canada Chief Executive Officer, David Toycen. "Canadians, who have
been asking for this kind of social responsibility from corporations,
can make a statement of support by joining the partnership through
sponsorship of a Peruvian child." World Vision estimates that there
are at least 2,000 children who need sponsors in these communities.
World Vision Canada is a Christian humanitarian relief and
development organization, which invites Canadians to share their
resources to empower people living in poverty. World Vision works in
partnership with the world's disadvantaged to build stronger, more
resilient communities. Through partnership with World Vision
International, it works in over 90 countries around the world
providing help to more than 85 million people each year. In the Latin
American and Caribbean regions, World Vision works in 14 countries,
including Peru.
Barrick is one of the world's leading gold producers, with
operations and development projects on four continents, and a
commitment to mining responsibly. The Company has one of the largest
gold reserves, at 87 million ounces, and the industry's only A-rated
balance sheet.
To sponsor a child call 1-800-268-5528 or visit www.worldvision.ca
CONTACT: Barrick Gold Corporation
Vincent Borg, 416-307-7477
Fax: 416-861-1509
media@barrick.com
or
World Vision Canada
Eusis Dougan-McKenzie, 905-565-6200 ext. 2727
eusis_dougan-mckenzie@worldvision.ca
SOURCE: Barrick Gold Corporation