SEPTEMBER 17, 2002 - 01:59 EDT
Barrick Sets Out New Growth Plan
NEW YORK, NEW YORK--
All amounts in United States dollars
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Announcement Highlights
- Planned $2-billion mine development program
- Expected to contribute 2 million ounces at $125 per ounce
- Continued high levels of production expected from current
operations
- A goal of doubling earnings by 2006, based on $325 gold price,
significantly improving ROE
- Forward Sales position expected to be reduced by one-third to 12
million ounces by end of 2003
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Barrick Gold Corporation (ABX: NYSE/TSE) announced today a new
growth plan designed to make the Company the world's largest and
most profitable gold producer, and the industry's major growth
stock.
Barrick's growth plan draws on the financial strength provided by
the Company's $1 billion cash balance, A-rated balance sheet and
expected free cash flows of $500 million annually from its
operating mines supported by a 12-million-ounce forward sales
position.
DEVELOPMENT OF PIPELINE TO MAKE BARRICK INDUSTRY'S MAJOR GROWTH
STOCK
"We expect this to be one of the largest development programs ever
undertaken by a gold producer," said Randall Oliphant, President
and Chief Executive Officer. "The unique position we are in today
is the culmination of our focus on acquiring quality mines and
exploration and development properties during a period of weak
gold prices and developing them as gold prices strengthen, using
our development expertise."
The five-year, $2-billion development plan calls for an average 2
million ounces of additional annual gold production for the first
ten years at expected cash costs of $125 per ounce - 29% lower
costs than the current production base - maintaining Barrick's low
cost position in the industry.
The following are expected start-up dates, average annual
production rates, and cash costs for the four projects over their
first decade:
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- Alto Chicama (2005): 500,000 ounces at $130 per ounce;
- Cowal (2005): 270,000 ounces at $170 per ounce;
- Veladero (2006): 530,000 ounces at $155 per ounce; and
- Pascua-Lama (2008): 800,000 ounces at $85 per ounce.
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Overall, higher production and lower costs are expected in the
initial years. In the case of Alto Chicama, the operating cost
estimates are based on assumptions related to its Pierina-like
similarities in geology and metallurgy.
Under the plan, Barrick's net production is expected to rise by
1.2 million ounces, or 21%, to 6.9 million ounces in 2006 at lower
costs. As a result, the Company is targeting a doubling of
earnings by 2006 based on a $325 gold price. Barrick's four new
projects are estimated to have an internal rate of return of 14%
at $325 gold (11% at $300 gold) - well above its 8% cost of
capital.
"Strong top and bottom line growth positions Barrick as the only
growth stock among major gold producers," said Mr. Oliphant. "Our
growth plans couldn't come at a better time. As the industry faces
declining production and rising costs, we stand to benefit the
most from rising gold prices. We are the only major gold company
to set out four-year growth metrics for earnings competitive with
top performing growth companies in any industry sector. "
CONTINUES TO REDUCE HEDGING - FORWARD SALES POSITION EXPECTED TO
DECLINE BY ONE-THIRD BY END OF 2003
In light of the current environment, Barrick also announced plans
to reduce its forward sales position, primarily through scheduled
deliveries from production. As a result, the Company anticipates a
reduction in its forward sales position from 17.9 million ounces
to a target of 12 million ounces by the end of next year, based on
market conditions. This equates to 15% of the Company's current
gold reserves as compared to 22% at present. The Company also
plans to continue to reduce its call option and variable price
sales contract position, with a target of 1.5 million ounces by
the end of 2003.
"We are further reducing our hedge position for three main
reasons: 1) interest rates are at 40-year lows, leading to lower
forward premiums; 2) Barrick has never been stronger financially;
and 3) the outlook for gold prices is positive," said Jamie
Sokalsky, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.
Mr. Oliphant added: "This is an exciting new time in the history
of Barrick and the gold industry. Barrick's growth plan makes us
uniquely positioned to benefit from strengthening gold prices."
As well as having a pipeline of new projects, Barrick has stepped
up its exploration and development budget to $95 million in 2002,
the largest in the industry.
The Company will be providing detailed updates on each new project
in the coming months as it advances project development, including
optimizing feasibility studies, permitting and further expanding
the reserve base.
Barrick is a leading international gold producer with the
industry's only A-rated balance sheet, a portfolio of long-life,
low-cost operations on four continents and proven and probable
reserves of 82.3 million ounces of gold. Barrick's shares are
traded under the ticker symbol ABX on the Toronto, New York,
London and Swiss Stock Exchanges and the Paris Bourse.
Certain statements included herein, including those regarding
production, costs and earnings constitute "forward looking
statements" within the meaning of the United States Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward looking
statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and
other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or
achievements of Barrick or of the gold mining industry to be
materially different from future results, performance or
achievements expressed or implied by those forward looking
statements. These risks, uncertainties and other factors include,
but are not limited to, changes in the worldwide price of gold or
certain other commodities and currencies and the risks involved in
the exploration, development and mining business. These factors
are discussed in greater detail in Barrick's most recent Annual
Information Form and Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial and Operating Results" on file with the U.S. Securities
and Exchange Commission and Canadian provincial securities
regulatory authorities.
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At a Glance - Barrick Development Projects*
ALTO CHICAMA
Description:
- Located in North-central Peru, about 175 km from Barrick's
Pierina Mine.
- Oxide mineralization similar to Pierina, with high-grade gold
surface outcroppings and good metallurgy.
Background:
- Barrick announced the Alto Chicama discovery on April 23, 2002,
and after an intensive drill program focused on the Property's
Lagunas Norte deposit, and more than doubled the inferred
resource estimate on July 10.
Current Mineralization Status:
- Updated resource classification as at September 16, 2002:
indicated resource totaling 103 million tons of gold; grade:
0.056 oz/ton; 5.74 million oz and inferred resource totaling 33
million tons; grade .046 oz/ton; 1.53 million ounces(1).
- Resource remains open to the south and southeast.
Activities Underway:
- 2002 exploration budget increased to $35 million from initial $5
million.
- Program focused on infill and step out drilling at Lagunas Norte
to expand resource.
- Additional drills are targeting gold showings identified within
15km radius of discovery.
- Conducting metallurgical test work and mine and process
planning.
Timeline:
- Feasibility study scheduled for 2003.
- Exercise of option to acquire mineral rights expected in 2003.
- Filing of permit applications anticipated in 2003 with the
submission of the feasibility study.
- Construction targeted to begin in late 2003/ early 2004.
- Production targeted 2005.
Capital Cost Estimate:
- Capital cost estimate based on assumptions related to similarity
with Pierina deposit and expected similarity of process design
etc. would result in capital costs in the $300 to $350 million
range.
- Capital costs are expected to rise if the resource continues to
expand.
Production Profile:
- Based upon Pierina performance, the production profile is
expected to average 500,000 oz/year at $130/oz cash cost over
first decade.
- Higher production and lower costs are expected in the earlier
years as mining begins on high-grade surface outcroppings.
COWAL
Description:
- Located in Central New South Wales (NSW), Australia, 350 km west
of Sydney.
Background:
- Acquired as part of Barrick's merger with Homestake Mining
Company on Dec. 14, 2001.
- Based on a revision of the feasibility study and environmental
impact statement completed in 1998, project awarded development
consent by the NSW Government in Feb. 1999.
- 20,000-meter drill program commenced in first quarter 2002.
Current Mineralization Status:
- Proven and probable reserves: 56.4 million tons of gold; grade:
0.049 oz/ton; 2.8 million oz, located on main E42 deposit.
Activities Underway:
- Inspection, clearance and preservation of artifacts.
- Four drills at work on cleared areas of Property to expand
reserves within the pit.
- In addition to the main E42 deposit, there are a number of other
targets on the 620-sq/km Property.
- Updating feasibility study completed by a previous owner.
- Conducting metallurgical test work, aimed at optimizing scope
and economics of project.
- Negotiations for Native Title are underway.
Timeline:
- Feasibility study as a result of extra drilling scheduled for
completion in the first half of 2003.
- Completion of Native Title process expected mid-2003.
- Construction scheduled to begin in mid-2003.
- Start-up expected mid-2005.
Capital Cost Estimate:
- $180 million
Production Profile:
- Expected to average 270,000 oz at $170/oz cash cost over first
decade, with higher production and lower costs expected in the
early years.
VELADERO
Description:
- Located in San Juan Province, Argentina. Part of 25-million-oz
Pascua-Lama and Veladero District, situated at northern end of
El Indio Belt, straddling the border of Chile and Argentina.
Planned to be developed as unified district, starting with
Veladero.
Background:
- Barrick's merger with Homestake Mining Company in Dec. 2001 gave
Barrick 100% of Veladero, formerly a joint venture owned 40% and
60% by Barrick and Homestake respectively.
Current Mineralization Status:
- Proven and Probable Reserves: 196.6 million tons; grade: 0.043
oz/ton; 8.4 million oz(2).
Activities Underway:
- Feasibility study scheduled for completion in September 2002.
- Continued monitoring of political and economic situation;
investigation of project financing possibilities.
Timeline:
- Updated feasibility study completion expected September 2002.
- Filing of permit applications expected in fourth quarter of
2002.
- Road and camp construction scheduled for the fourth quarter of
2002 with site construction expected to begin in September
2003.
- Start-up expected at the beginning of 2006.
Capital Cost Estimate:
- $425 million.
Production Profile:
- Expected to average 530,000 oz/year at $155/oz cash cost over
first decade, with higher production and lower costs in the
early years.
PASCUA-LAMA
Description:
- The 25-million-oz Pascua-Lama and Veladero District is situated
at northern end of El Indio Belt, straddling the border of Chile
and Argentina. Planned to be developed as unified district,
starting with Veladero.
Background:
- Barrick acquired the Pascua-Lama Property with the acquisition
of Lac Minerals Ltd. in 1994. Since then, Barrick has completed
significant work on this property, identifying several new
mineralized zones, and increased total proven and probable
mineral reserves from 1.8 million oz in 1994 to the current 16.9
million oz.
Current Mineralization Status:
- Proven and Probable Reserves: 296 million tons; grade: 0.057
oz/ton; 16.9 million oz.
Activities Underway:
- Optimizing the feasibility study by the following:
- Evaluation of synergies with Veladero;
- Evaluation of impact of peso devaluation on project's economics;
- Advancing optimization work and permitting process; and
- Continued monitoring of political and economic situation in
Argentina.
Timeline:
- Complete optimized feasibility study in first half of 2004
- Construction start-up expected in late 2005
- Production expected 2008.
Capital Cost Estimate:
- $1,175 million.
- Project optimization;
- Synergies with Veladero; and
- Impact of peso devaluation are expected to result in
pre-production capital declining significantly from current
levels.
Production Profile:
- Expected to average 800,000 oz/year at $85/oz cash cost over
first decade.
* Construction start-ups subject to Board approval
1. Resource calculations were prepared by employees of Barrick
under the supervision of Alexander J. Davidson, P. Geol, Senior
Vice President, Exploration of Barrick, and Alan R. Hill, P.
Eng, Executive Vice President, Development of Barrick. The
resource has been calculated on a block modeling basis, using
blocks of 10x10x5 meters and a cut-off grade of 0.50 g/tonne
(0.14 oz/ton) for oxide mineralization and 0.75 g/tonne (.022
oz/ton) for sulphide mineralization. A total of 298 diamond
drill holes have been drilled and assayed in the area of
interest. Drill hole spacing averages between 50 and 100 meters.
A drill hole radius of 50 meters was used for purposes of
calculating the resource. Resources which are not reserves do
not have demonstrated economic viability. For additional
information see Barrick's press release of April 23rd and July
10, 2002.
2. Calculated in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 as
required by Canadian securities regulatory authorities. For
United States reporting purposes, Industry Guide 7 (under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934), as interpreted by the Staff of
the SEC, requires completion of a full feasibility study in
order to classify mineralization as a reserve. Accordingly, for
U.S. reporting purposes, the mineralization at Veladero is
classified as indicated resources. |
