Barrick opposes Sokimo’s sale of interest in Kibali
Barrick Gold says it will not approve Société Minière de Kilo-Moto’s (Sokimo) intended sale of its 10% interest in the Kibali gold mine in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The world’s second-largest gold miner’s comments came as Canadian junior AJN Resources said earlier this month that it had entered into a memorandum of understanding with Sokimo to acquire several of its rights in the DRC. Those included the state miner’s shares in Kibali Goldmines – the owner of Kibali mine.
Barrick noted that Sokimo was contractually bound to the company and its joint venture partner, AngloGold Ashanti. This means that it can’t sell or transfer its shares in Kibali Goldmines without their approval.
“No such approval has been sought, nor will it be granted,” The Toronto-based miner said in statement
Last year, Kibali beat production guidance of 750,000 ounces of gold by a substantial margin, delivering 814,027 ounces in what Barrick called ”another record year.”
The Toronto-based miner, which has a 45% stake in Kibali, is the operator of the JV with AngloGold and gained ownership of the mine after acquiring Randgold Resources in January last year.
Already one of the world’s most highly automated underground gold mines, Kibali continues its technological advance with the introduction of truck and drill training simulators and the integration of systems for staff safety tracking and ventilation demand control.
The simulators, Barrick said last month, will also be used to train operators at the company’s Tanzanian mines.
source: mining.com
