Barrick Gold Corporation (NYSE:GOLD)(TSX:ABX) (“Barrick” or the “company”) today reported preliminary third quarter sales of 1.25 million ounces of gold and 116 million pounds of copper, as well as preliminary third quarter production of 1.16 million ounces of gold and 103 million pounds of copper. Group gold production for the first nine months of 2020 was 3.6 million ounces, and the company remains on track to achieve full-year production guidance1.
The average market price for gold in the third quarter was $1,909 per ounce, while the average market price for copper in the third quarter was $2.96 per pound.
Preliminary third quarter gold production was slightly higher than the second quarter of 2020, notwithstanding the fact that there was no third quarter production at Porgera in Papua New Guinea which was placed on care and maintenance on April 25, 2020. Excluding Porgera, third quarter gold production was 3% higher than the second quarter mainly due to stronger performances from Carlin and Pueblo Viejo following the completion of scheduled plant maintenance in the prior quarter. Preliminary third quarter gold sales were slightly higher than the previous quarter, and exceeded third quarter production following the export of the remaining stockpiled concentrate in Tanzania. Third quarter gold cost of sales per ounce2 is expected to be in line, total cash costs per ounce3 are expected to be 2-4% lower and gold all-in sustaining costs per ounce3 are expected to be 5-7% lower, than in the second quarter of 2020.
Preliminary third quarter copper production and sales were both lower than the previous quarter, primarily as a result of lower throughput at Lumwana following plant maintenance completed in the quarter. Third quarter copper cost of sales per pound2 is expected to be 4-6% lower and C1 cash costs per pound3 are expected to be 5-7% lower than the prior quarter. Copper all-in sustaining costs per pound3 are expected to be 6-8% higher than the second quarter of 2020 as a result of higher capitalized stripping at Lumwana.
Barrick will provide additional discussion and analysis regarding its third quarter production and sales when the company reports its quarterly results before North American markets open on November 5, 2020.
Third Quarter 2020 Results
Barrick will release its Q3 2020 results before market open on November 5, 2020. President and CEO Mark Bristow will again host an interactive webinar on the results at 11:00 EST / 16:00 UTC. The presentation will be linked to the webinar and conference call. Participants will be able to ask questions.
Go to the webinar
US and Canada (toll-free) 1 800 319 4610
UK (toll-free) 0808 101 2791
International (toll) +1 416 915 3239
The Q3 2020 presentation materials will be available on Barrick’s website at www.barrick.com.
The webinar will remain on the website for later viewing, and the conference call will be available for replay by telephone at 1 855 669 9658 (US and Canada) and +1 604 674 8052 (international), access code 5232.
Enquiries:
Claudia Pitre
Analyst, Investor Relations and Corporate Access
+1 416 307 5105
cpitre@barrick.com
Kathy du Plessis
Investor and Media Relations
+44 20 7557 7738
barrick@dpapr.com