Barrick Gold Corporation (NYSE:GOLD)(TSX:ABX) has been listed in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index's (DJSI) World Index for the 14 th consecutive year, ranking in the 95 th percentile for mining and metals.
The DJSI World Index represents the top 10% leaders in environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance through the Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA) of the largest 2,500 companies in the S&P Global Broad Market Index. The DJSI is the longest-running global sustainability benchmark worldwide and has become a key reference point for sustainability investment.
This year, Barrick demonstrated industry leading performance by scoring full marks (100 th percentile) in the categories of environmental reporting, social reporting, materiality and water risk management. It also ranked within the top 5% for environmental policy and management systems, biodiversity, mineral waste management, closure and social impact on communities, while substantially improving its scores in occupational health and safety, human capital development and climate strategy.
President and chief executive Mark Bristow says the company's continued inclusion in the DJSI is a tribute to Barrick's strong commitment to sustainability and the integration of ESG throughout the business.
"It is encouraging to note the increase in our climate strategy ranking, off the back of our updated climate strategy and greenhouse gas emissions reduction roadmap, while leading scores in the categories of community development and biodiversity underscore our belief that our ability to operate successfully is dependent on delivering long-term value for all our stakeholders and proactively managing our impacts on the wider environment," he said.
"Barrick's philosophy of sharing the benefits its operations create is applied at a local level through the establishment of fully functional Community Development Committees at each of our sites. In these forums, community leaders and management engage productively to identify appropriate upliftment projects for investment, and then oversee their development. This is partnership in action, at ground level, and it is doing much to strengthen our relationships with our host communities and countries."
Bristow said that despite Barrick's sustained and improved performance in most of the DJSI categories, there was more work to be done. The company would not rest on its laurels and it remained a key focus for the group to further enhance its ESG credentials.
Enquiries:
Investor and Media Relations
Kathy du Plessis
+44 20 7557 7738
Email: barrick@dpapr.com
Website: www.barrick.com
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Certain information contained or incorporated by reference in this press release, including any information as to our strategy, plans, or future operating performance, constitutes "forward-looking statements". All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. The words "continue", "encourage", "belief", "deliver", "manage", "engage", "strengthen" "remain", "focus" and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. In particular, this press release contains forward-looking statements including, without limitation, with respect to Barrick's future sustainability performance and commitment to deliver long-term value to stakeholders while proactively managing its impacts on the wider environment and the role of Community Development Committees and partnerships with Barrick's host communities and countries. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions, including material assumptions considered reasonable by Barrick as at the date of this press release in light of management's experience and perception of current conditions and expected developments, and are inherently subject to significant business, economic, and competitive uncertainties and contingencies.
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