Barrick Gold Corporation – Barrick is Committed to ESG Leadership, Says Executive Chairman

Toronto – Good ESG management is essential to Barrick’s vision to become the world’s most valuable gold and copper company, says Executive Chairman John Thornton in the company’s 2022 information circular released today and available now at www.barrick.com/agm and also filed on SEDAR (www.sedar.com) and EDGAR (www.sec.gov).

ESG principles have long been embedded in Barrick’s commitment to partnership-based business objectives, a philosophy based on engagement, transparency and caring, which recognizes the importance not only of shareholders who own the business , but also of its other stakeholders: employees, host countries, communities around the mines and the company’s business partners.

“Our rigorous focus on performance and execution against our sustainability strategy enables us to develop and maintain trusted, long-term partnerships with all stakeholders,” says Thornton. “In an industry first, we published an open and honest assessment of our actions in the form of a scorecard in our sustainability report in 2019. The third of these scorecards will appear in the sustainability report. Sustainability Report 2021, which will be released in the second quarter of 2022. Like its predecessors, the 2021 report will objectively track our progress against key metrics and highlight areas that need improvement, providing stakeholders with valuable insight into this important part of our business, while demonstrating Barrick’s commitment to ESG leadership.

Also in the information circular, lead independent director Brett Harvey indicated that the board continues to focus on board renewal and diversity. Since the merger with Randgold, it has appointed six new directors, including three women. Women directors now represent 27% of the Board and 33% of independent directors.

“Barrick’s human capital strategy, including our approach to promoting diversity, continues to be a key catalyst for positive change,” said Harvey. “By prioritizing local employment – ​​96% of our employees are host country nationals – we naturally develop the ethnic and cultural diversity of our workforce.”

Due to ongoing public health concerns related to the global pandemic and to mitigate health risks to all stakeholders, this annual meeting will once again be virtual. The company will monitor the situation closely and provide a physical location if conditions permit. The information circular details how to participate, how to vote and how to contact the board and the company.

Barrick’s 2022 Annual Meeting of Shareholders will be held on May 3, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. (Toronto time) at web.lumiagm.com/476307397. A live webcast of the meeting will also be available at www.barrick.com/agm.

Requests:

Mark Bristow

President and CEO
+1 647 205 7694
+ 44 788 071 1386

Graham Shuttleworth

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
+1 647 262 2095
+44 779 771 1338

Kathy du Plessis

Investor Relations and Media
+44 20 7557 7738
E-mail: [email protected]

Caution regarding forward-looking information

Certain information contained or incorporated by reference in this press release, including any information regarding our strategy, plans, plans or future financial or operating performance, constitutes “forward-looking statements”. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. The words “engage”, “vision”, “enable”, “develop”, “maintain”, “will”, “focus”, “promote”, “enable” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. In particular, this press release contains forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, regarding: Barrick’s vision to be the world’s most valuable mining company; the anticipated benefits of Barrick’s sustainability strategy and sustainability dashboard; Barrick’s focus on increasing board and workforce diversity; and Barrick’s intention to make a physical venue available on May 3, 2022 for the annual meeting of shareholders should Covid-19 circumstances permit.

Forward-looking statements are necessarily based on a number of estimates and assumptions, including significant estimates and assumptions relating to the factors set forth below which, although believed to be reasonable by the company as of the date of this press in light of management’s experience and perception of current conditions and expected developments, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. Known and unknown factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements and information. These factors include, but are not limited to: fluctuations in the spot and forward price of gold, copper or certain other commodities (such as silver, diesel fuel, natural gas and electricity ); the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development; changes in mineral production performance, mining and exploration success; reduction in the quantities or qualities of reserves; increased costs, delays, suspensions and technical challenges associated with the construction of capital projects; operational or technical difficulties related to mining or development activities, including geotechnical challenges and disruptions in the maintenance or provision of required information technology infrastructure and systems; failure to comply with environmental, health and safety laws and regulations; non-renewal of key licenses by governmental authorities; changes in national and local government laws, taxation, controls or regulations and/or changes in the administration of laws, policies and practices; expropriation or nationalization of property and political or economic developments in Canada, the United States and other jurisdictions in which the Company or its affiliates do or may do business in the future; timing of receipt or non-compliance with necessary permits and approvals; uncertainty as to whether certain targeted investments and projects will achieve the company’s capital allocation targets and hurdle rate; lack of certainty about foreign legal systems, corruption and other factors inconsistent with the rule of law; risks associated with illegal and artisanal mining; risks associated with new diseases, epidemics and pandemics, including the effects and potential effects of the global Covid-19 pandemic; damage to the company’s reputation due to the occurrence or perceived occurrence of a number of events, including negative publicity regarding the company’s handling of environmental issues or relationships with community groups, qu whether they are true or not; the possibility that future exploration results will not meet the Company’s expectations; risk of loss due to acts of war, terrorism, sabotage and civil unrest; litigation; disputes over title deeds, particularly title to undeveloped properties, or access to water, electricity and other necessary infrastructure; our ability to successfully integrate acquisitions or complete divestitures; risks associated with working with partners in jointly controlled assets; employee relations, including the loss of key employees; increased physical costs and risks, including extreme weather events and resource shortages, related to climate change; and the increased availability and costs associated with mining inputs and labor. In addition, there are risks and hazards associated with exploration, development and mining activities, including environmental hazards, industrial accidents, unusual or unexpected formations, pressures, cave-ins, floods and gold bars, copper cathodes or gold or copper concentrates. losses (and the risk of inadequate insurance, or the inability to obtain insurance, to cover such risks).

Many of these uncertainties and contingencies may affect our actual results and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements made by or on our behalf. Readers are cautioned that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. All forward-looking statements made in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements. Specific reference is made to the most recent Form 40-F/Annual Information Form filed with the SEC and Canadian provincial securities regulators for a more detailed discussion of some of the factors underlying the forward-looking statements and risks that could affect the company. ability to achieve the expectations set forth in the forward-looking statements contained in this press release.

We disclaim any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.