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Barrick (GOLD) Announces Strategic Plans for Loulo-Gounkoto

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Barrick Gold Corporation (GOLD - Free Report) stressed the need to ensure the long-term sustainability of the Loulo-Gounkoto gold mining complex to support Mali's mining industry and its significant economic contributions.

In a recent address to local media and stakeholders, Barrick highlighted its investment of over $10 billion into Mali's economy in the past 29 years. The company's mines have consistently accounted for between 5% and 10% of the country’s GDP annually. In the past year alone, Barrick's contributions to the Malian economy have surpassed $1 billion.

Barrick is actively working toward a comprehensive resolution of existing differences, seeking common ground on the key issue of sharing the economic benefits of its operations without compromising the future viability of these important economic contributors.

The company stated that its successful benefit-sharing partnership in Tanzania has been used as a model for the reopened Porgera mine in Papua New Guinea.

However, GOLD warned that the current economic and political climate in Mali has led to many exploration companies reducing or halting their operations, which could negatively impact long-term gold production.

In contrast, the company is engaging with the National Directorate of Geology and Mines (DNGM) to expand its exploration footprint, ensuring the ability to deliver real value to Mali and its stakeholders.

Barrick’s shares have gained 4.4% in the past year compared with a 17.9% rise of the industry.

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In 2023, gold production at the Loulo-Gounkoto complex reached 547,000 ounces. The cost of sales was $1,198 per ounce, with total cash costs amounting to $835 per ounce and all-in sustaining costs (AISC) at $1,166 per ounce.

For 2024, the company projects gold production for the Loulo-Gounkoto complex to be between 510,000 and 560,000 ounces. The cost of sales is forecast in the range of $1,190-$1,290 per ounce, with total cash costs expected to be between $780 and $860 per ounce. The forecast for AISC is between $1,150 and $1,250 per ounce.

Zacks Rank & Other Key Picks

Barrick currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).

Some other top-ranked stocks in the Basic Materials space are Carpenter Technology Corporation (CRS - Free Report) , Eldorado Gold Corporation (EGO - Free Report) and Ecolab Inc. (ECL - Free Report) . Carpenter Technology and Eldorado Gold sport a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), and Ecolab carries a Zacks Rank #2. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

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