The acquisition of mines in Africa through a merger with Randgold Resources early this year, has raised the overall risk of Toronto-headquartered Barrick Gold’s mining portfolio, but analysts at Fitch Solutions believe that South African geologist Mark Bristow, who has a track record of operating successfully in difficult jurisdictions, will be able to pull it off.
In a global company strategy review focusing on Barrick Gold, Fitch said this week that the mining major was stronger after the merger with Africa-focused Randgold, despite having increased portfolio risk by buying assets in a region that it previously withdrew from.