Barrick Beyond Borders - May 2012 - Barrick Gold Corporation

A BARRICK GOLD REPORT ON RESPONSIBLE MINING | BEYOND BORDERSbeen one of San Juan’s poorest, reliant on small-scale agriculture.Tourism emerged as an industry with potential in Iglesia about14 years ago, when the Argentine government constructed alarge dam that created a spectacular lake. That lake became a hotspot for windsurfers and other visitors to the area. In late 2007,Barrick began a series of consultations with community leadersand residents about the prospect of putting Iglesia on Argentina’stourism map. The approach is aligned with the U.N. MilleniumDevelopment goal of promoting rural or “ecotourism” as a meansof fostering economic diversification and growth in developingregions, while respecting the local environment and culture.Barrick donated the material and the necessary investment forthe new center, which today is averaging about 2,000 visitors aweek. Visitors can watch videos and receive information aboutlocal accommodations and attractions. The Ministry of Tourismhas hired two full-time employees to operate the center. In 2008,Barrick also funded the development of tourism promotionmaterials, which are displayed throughout the new center.A leading proponent of the ecotourism model for Iglesia isGuido Altimira, President of the Neighborhood Associationof Bella Vista. We visited Altimira’s scenic 12-hectare ranch,which features a bed and breakfast for tourists. Altimira is anideas man and staunch advocate for potable water programs forBella Vista. He is also a new-age farmer and has adapted modernirrigation methods to serve the needs of his ranch. Years earlier,when he first moved to the area, he launched a campaign withthe motto, “Water is more precious than gold.” At the time, hewas concerned that Barrick would fail to recognize that water isa shared community resource. It took two years for Greco andhis team to build a relationship with Altimira and begin workingtogether to address the region’s most pressing needs. On the dayI visited, they discussed the need for greater Internet access andwater infrastructure, while protecting the character and beautyof the area.BOTTOM LEFT: MIGUEL GRECO (RIGHT) WITH MILO DIAZ (LEFT), PRESIDENT OFTHE LA CIENAGA NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION.MODERN ACCESS TO THE WEBA key focus for Barrick’s community investments in Iglesia is toimprove Internet access. This priority was identified following abaseline study that documented the limited connectivity of theregion. We visited the main library in Iglesia, where we weregiven a guided tour by a part-time Barrick employee who is alsoproviding oversight of a major, five-year expansion and upgradeof the library. This facility now features a state-of-the-art theater,a community center and a modern computer lab with Internetaccess, donated by Barrick. The computer lab is one of several thecompany has funded throughout Jachal and Iglesia.SUPPORT TO AGRIBUSINESSIt took a year of coffees to build the level of trust necessary toengage with Alfredo Rodrigues, the President of the Farmer’sMay 2012