2007 Responsibility Report - English (PDF) - Barrick Gold Corporation

understanding about how agriculture, conservation andindustry can be integrated in a sustainable way,” said Peter Hill,a project manager with the Lake Cowal Foundation.Respecting and Strengthening the WiradjuriCommunityBarrick recognizes the importance of respecting the unique culturalcharacteristics of all indigenous peoples and is committedto developing constructive relationships with indigenous communitieswherever we operate. This engagement is based onan understanding that indigenous communities may seek directinvolvement in mining projects near their traditional settlementsand may wish to secure direct benefits from miningoperations. Lake Cowal and the Cowal Mine are situated inWiradjuri Country. The Wiradjuri people are recognized as thepre-European occupiers of the land and had been known tocamp occasionally along the banks of the lake.Barrick worked with the Wiradjuri Council of Elders, theRegistered Native Title Claimants, over a 15-month period tonegotiate an equitable Native Title Agreement, which wassigned by both parties in 2003. Under the terms of theAgreement, the Company agreed to measures to support thecommunity in the areas of environmental and cultural heritage,employment, training and education and business development.NEW SOUTH WALESVICTORIAMelbourneCowalHentyTASMANIAHobartCanberraSydneyThe Cowal Gold Mine is located in Bland Shire, onthe western shore of Lake Cowal, 40 km north-eastof West Wyalong and approximately 350 km west ofSydney. In 2001 Barrick acquired the undevelopedCowal Gold project from Homestake. Constructioncommenced in 2004 and was completed in 2006,when gold production began at the mine.On May 22, 2003, the following joint announcement wasmade:“Barrick Australia Limited and the Wiradjuri Condobolin NativeTitle Claim Group have reached an agreement that promotesand protects the Wiradjuri cultural heritage while ensuring thata wide range of benefits will flow to the Wiradjuri communityduring the life of Barrick’s proposed Cowal Gold project.”That year, as a result of a Native Title Agreement, the WiradjuriCondobolin Corporation was established. The registered companyis supported by Barrick financially as well as with initiativesthat pursue opportunities which can lead to businessinitiatives, further education and employment for the Wiradjuripeople. The Company employed the Wiradjuri Corporation tomanage Wiradjuri heritage protection activities during minedevelopment. At the height of these activities, as many as sixtyWiradjuri heritage field officers and archaeologists wereresponsible for identifying and preserving any artifacts found atthe site. The Corporation also provides a cultural heritageinduction course for new Barrick employees.Barrick continues engagement with the Wiradjuri Condobolincommunities through a number of formal committees andmeets regularly to continue to develop opportunities foremployment, business and training opportunities for theWiradjuri. To date, seven university scholarships and four tradeapprenticeships have been awarded to young Wiradjuri menand women in mining-related studies or trades. Two of thescholarship holders completed undergraduate studies in 2007and one apprenticeship was completed in 2007.“Many Wiradjuri people have been employed in full-time,responsible jobs. They also supervise cultural heritage activitieson-site. Young Wiradjuri people are provided an opportunity tostudy at university, while yet others take apprenticeships. Theseyoung people are our future leaders. They now have an opportunitythat wasn’t there before the Barrick mine.” Excerpt froma 2007 media release from Percy Knight, Chief ExecutiveOfficer of the Wiradjuri Condobolin Corporation.In addition to creating jobs and scholarships, Barrick is assistingwith support for the construction of a Centre for WiradjuriStudies, which will serve as a key education and cultural centerand a place of learning for the indigenous community.Barrick is committed to making a positive difference in thecommunities where we operate and to protecting the environmentimpacted by our activities. We are doing both at ourCowal Gold Mine.Barrick Responsibility Report 2007 19