Global giant Barrick Gold has fallen short of gold production guidance for the year to Dec 2022 despite achieving its best result for the year in the Dec qtr.
Barrick's FY2022 production of 4.14Moz gold was down from 4.43Moz in the previous term and about 1% short of its 4.2Moz forecast. Copper production was 440Mlb, up from 415Mlb and within its 420-470Mlb guidance.
The Canadian-based miner is targeting first production in 2028 from its Reko Diq copper-gold mine in Pakistan’s Balochistan province.
President-chief executive Mark Bristow says Barrick plans to finish an updated feasibility study by end-2024. Barrick will hold 50% and manage the giant project, with Balochistan holding 25% and three Pakistan state enterprises sharing the remaining 25%.