‘Barrick donates to COVID-19 fight in Zambia’ 8 April 2020

Barrick Gold has contributed financially to Zambia’s fight against the spread of COVID-19 with a donation of US$530,000 to help combat and contain the virus. The company had already implemented extensive measures to protect workers and their families living in around the Lumwana copper mine against the virus, said country manager Nathan Chishimba on Tuesday. "As a committed partner to Zambia we would also like to make a contribution to the government's fight against the pandemic. We are consequently funding the provision of medical equipment to the value of $340,000 at the national level, $100,000 for the North-Western province and $90,000 for the Kalumbila district," he said.

Barrick's chief operating officer for Africa and the Middle East, Willem Jacobs, said the company was engaging with Zambia's national COVID-19 taskforce to convert its support into immediate action. Its senior management in Zambia was already working closely with the local health authorities. Lumwana is expected to produce 250-280Mlb copper at AISC of $2.30-$2.60/lb. Meanwhile, FOX Business reported Tuesday CEO Mark Bristow had told it the COVID-19 pandemic could lead to a flurry of deal activity.