Barrick Beyond Borders - May 2012 - Barrick Gold Corporation

BEYOND BORDERS | A BARRICK GOLD REPORT ON RESPONSIBLE MININGONE OF 24 HERITAGE HOUSES BEING REBUILT IN VICHUQUÉN.TOP: STUDENTS PERFORM AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF A SCHOOL INBOYERUCA REBUILT WITH SUPPORT FROM BARRICK. BOTTOM: A CLASSROOMIN THE BOYERUCA SCHOOL.tion known for its colonial architecture and adobe structures.To assist with the rebuild and ensure the town retained itsheritage designation, Barrick engaged SENSICO, a Peruvianorganization that pioneered earthquake-resistant constructiontechniques for adobe buildings.“Barrick and SENSICO showed that reconstruction withadobe was possible,” says Román Pavéz López, Mayor ofVichuquén. “That was very important because it allowedVichuquén to retain its historic identity. From the beginning ofthe emergency, Barrick’s presence made us feel supported andhelped strengthen our resolve to overcome this crisis.”Construction of the first five heritage homes will be completedin the coming months. “We can’t wait to return to ourhouse again,” says Correa, whose house will be among the five.Once completed, the five houses will be unveiled in aceremony that will also mark Barrick’s formal exit from thetown. “We are extremely pleased we could play a part in thereconstruction of these historic homes, as well as the manyother projects that we supported,” says Igor Gonzales.After living in Vichuquén for nearly two years, Raul Gonzálezrecently left to take on a new assignment. He is now living inLa Serena, Chile, about 700 kilometers north of Vichuquén,where he is helping implement the closure plan for Barrick’sEl Indio mine.For about a month prior to his departure, González says,he was invited to a ceremony or party almost every night bypeople who wanted to express their appreciation to Barrick.“The people were amazing,” he says. “Mothers and fathers fromthe schools that we helped build made parties, and people keptsaying, over and over, ‘We don’t know what we would have donewithout Barrick’s help.’ ” ■Barrick contributed $5 million to the reconstruction effortin Vichuquén, Aquelarre and Boyeruca. Here is a list of theinfrastructure projects supported by Barrick:• Two hundred temporary homes that provided shelter topeople who lost their homes.• Vichuquén Lyceum School: The kindergarten-to-grade 12school in Vichuquén reopened in March 2011, equippedwith 20 new computers. The school has 206 students.• All-Purpose Sports Facility in Vichuquén: The facilityincludes a football field, basketball, volleyball and tenniscourts, as well as gymnastics facilities and an auditoriumfor cultural and theatrical events. The facility reopened inFebruary 2011.• School Residence in Vichuquén: The residence houses 32students who live in distant towns but moved to Vichuquénto attend the Vichuquén Lyceum School.• Aquelarre School: The kindergarten and elementary schoolreopened in September 2010, equipped with 12 new computers.It has capacity for 100 students.• Boyeruca School: The kindergarten and elementary schoolreopened March 30, 2012. The school will be equipped witheight new computers and have capacity for 50 students.• Vichuquén Houses: Twenty-four houses in Vichuquén thatare designated heritage sites. The first five homes will becompleted in the coming months, and the remainder areexpected to be completed in 2013.• Vichuquén City Hall: Rebuilding the town’s city hall in thesame location and with the same design specifications asits predecessor. The project is still in the approval stage.May 20127