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

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Barrick and the Environment2007, a total of 84.8 billion liters of water were consumed atour operations.In 2007, we developed a global Water Conservation Standardto standardize site water conservation programs at both ouroperating and closed properties. This was done to ensureconsistency throughout the Company concerning waterconservation, to support continuous improvements at ouroperations and to establish Barrick as an industry leader inwater conservation practices. Implementation of the Standardwill begin in 2008.Air Quality ManagementEmissions to air are an inevitable part of mining operations.However, in line with our commitment to continuous improvement,we require that our sites manage these emissions to reducepotential impacts. The emissions on which our efforts focusinclude dust, sulphur dioxide, mercury and greenhouse gases.an Energy Group which has been assisting our operations inimplementing energy efficiency programs and initiatives.Energy efficiency will serve to minimize GHG emissions. Toprovide corporate oversight of these programs and to moredirectly address the issue of climate change, we developed aglobal Climate Change Program in 2007.Implementation of our Climate Change Program will begin in2008. We will set global energy efficiency targets, renewableenergy targets and greenhouse gas emissions intensity targets,along with incorporating energy management into regularbusiness management processes. The expected future costs ofemitting GHG will now be included in our investment decisions.WATER CONSUMPTION INTENSITY(Liters / Ton of Ore Processed)400ISO14001 in South AmericaIn 2007, the Veladero mine joined Barrick’s other threeSouth American mines – Lagunas Norte, Pierina andZaldivar – in achieving ISO 14001 certification. Introducedin 1996, ISO 14000 standards are voluntary, internationallyrecognized standards for environmental managementissued under the auspices of the International Organizationfor Standardization. To achieve certification, a company’senvironmental management system must be formallyaudited by a third-party and meet all the requirements ofthe ISO standard.With the knowledge we have gained through participation inthe Nevada Mercury Control Program, we initiated the developmentof a global mercury management system in 2006. In2007, mercury sampling and stack testing was carried out atfive sites. Sampling and stack testing is continuing in 2008 andcontrols will be installed at sites where testing identifies a need.3002001000250200150283124281119246118383ENERGY USE INTENSITY(Megajoules / Ton of Ore Processed)17339203 04 05 06 07173Pre-2006 figures donot include formerPlacer Dome properties.Climate Change and Energy Efficiency100The weight of the scientific evidence links greenhouse gas(GHG) emissions to global climate change. While uncertaintiesstill exist as to the rate and magnitude of the change we canexpect, these uncertainties should not delay effective actionto counter the effects of this problem. In light of these risks,responsible companies must take action to protect their shareholdersand society.500686255585603 04 05 06 07DirectIndirectPre-2006 figures donot include formerPlacer Dome properties.Barrick has been tracking and reporting GHG emissions fromour operations for a number of years. We have also established32 Barrick Responsibility Report 2007
GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS INTENSITY(Kilograms CO 2 e / Ton of Ore Processed)Innovative Energy Projects30252015105050000121303 04 05 06 07Direct1212IndirectLAND STATUS(in Hectares)121113.112.111.911.7Pre-2006 figures donot include formerPlacer Dome properties.As part of Barrick’s efforts to become more energy efficientand to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, we areworking on innovative energy strategies. Our growinginvestment in clean power resulted in two initiatives inNevada in 2007. Construction was completed on our newgeothermal and solar powered administration building inElko, Nevada and we constructed a one megawatt solarfarm located near our natural gas power plant.In South America, we are investing in projects that willharness clean energy from wind power. In Chile, we arebuilding a 20 megawatt wind farm. The Punta Coloradawind farm project, once completed, will be the country’slargest source of wind generated power. In Argentina, weinstalled a two megawatt wind turbine near the Veladeromine, which will be the only turbine in the world operatingat more than 4,000 meters above sea level.Reclamation and Land Management4000030000Land disturbance is an unavoidable consequence of mining;however careful planning at Barrick’s operations aims to restrictthe area impacted by mining activities, to mitigate our impactsand to leave behind lands that will support productive postminingland uses for future generations.2000010000004 05 06 07New ReclamationPrevious ReclamationDisturbed and UnreclaimedFigures include bothBarrick and formerPlacer Dome properties.In addition to restricting the areas disturbed by mining, land nolonger required for mining activities is promptly reclaimed bygrading, seeding and shrub planting as needed. By reclaiminginactive land during mining and not waiting until miningoperations cease, final reclamation activities can be completedin a timely manner. At the end of 2007, the Company hadimpacted 46.8 thousand hectares of land globally of which12.1 thousand hectares have been successfully reclaimed.Waste Rock and Tailings ManagementMining involves the removal of non-economic rock to accessore deposits; this material is called waste rock. Tailings materialis the finely ground slurry remaining after ore has been processedand the gold removed. It often contains small amounts ofprocess chemicals and metals. Both tailings and waste rockare managed at our operations, either by being placed intoengineered storage facilities or returned to open pits or undergroundworkings. Each year our engineered storage facilitiesare diligently inspected by the engineer of record.Our environmental management strategy includes the developmentof closure and reclamation plans as part of initial projectplanning and design. Closure and reclamation plans are thenroutinely updated during the life of each operation to ensurethat environmental effects are addressed and financial obligationsare satisfied. Barrick has also developed corporateguidance for closure planning and cost estimation in an effortto lead the industry in accurately estimating closure costs.Barrick Responsibility Report 2007 33
Page 1: BarrickResponsibilityReport 2007
Page 8: 25 Years of Responsible MiningA Cul
Page 11 and 12: operation of the Company. In 2007,
Page 13 and 14: Active and genuine engagement with
Page 15 and 16: For example, we recently opened a n
Page 17 and 18: Barrick brought together a multi-di
Page 19 and 20: COWAL MINE:A Study in Sustainable D
Page 21 and 22: understanding about how agriculture
Page 23 and 24: Attracting, retaining, motivating a
Page 25 and 26: WORK-LIFE BALANCETo retain high-qua
Page 27 and 28: Improving safety and health perform
Page 29 and 30: Barrick Health SystemOver the last
Page 31 and 32: Barrick’s goal is to minimize our
Page 33: are audited, in general, every two
Page 37 and 38: OFF-SITE SPILLS:Operation Substance
Page 39 and 40: About Barrick Gold CorporationBarri

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

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