Precious metals
As we transition to the world of tomorrow – a time when mining is becoming ever more critical – Canadian gold and copper mining company Barrick is setting the standard for responsible, sustainable practices that benefit everyone, including the people in and around its mines.
Think of a steadily spinning flywheel, pulsing out economic energy to create value – that’s how Barrick aims to interact with its host communities.
“We’re taking something precious out of the land to convert it into social and economic development,” says Juana Barceló, President of Barrick’s Pueblo Viejo gold mine in the Dominican Republic.
Leading by example
The Pueblo Viejo mine is 100km from the Dominican Republic’s capital, Santo Domingo. When Barrick started operating the mine in 2012, a key commitment was the cleaning up of the nearby, badly polluted Margajita River from decades of legacy impacts. Years later, and after installing a state-of-the-art water treatment plant, the river has been restored and supports a thriving, community-based fish farming business.
Diversity in the workforce is also key to Barrick’s sustainable approach at the Pueblo Viejo mine. On the path to gender equality, the number of female employees has grown from 3% in 2019 to 25% in 2024. “In a gold mine, the most precious thing is not the gold. It’s the people who are mining that gold,” says Juana.
Keeping it local
Barrick is committed to supporting local businesses that become part of its supply chain. Once established, they generate a ripple effect across the local economy. At Pueblo Viejo, a female-owned business supplies the mine with coconut mats that are used on hillsides for biodegradable erosion control. This business directly employs 38 people, while a further 120 indirectly benefit. This is just one example of the important socio-economic relationship between the mine and its local suppliers.
All Barrick-run mines have “localisation” plans to maximise benefits and help combat poverty. These include providing members of the community with education, training and mentorship for leadership roles in the organisation.
