Barrick Gold (NYSE: GOLD)(TSX: ABX) said on Friday that emergency response plans for dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic have been stepped up at all its sites and offices across the world.
Earlier in March, the world’s second-largest gold miner said it was increasing its inventory of “key commodities” to above normal levels in response to the global spread of Covid-19.
The miner has put measures in place to mitigate the risk of infection while ensuring a safe environment for operations to continue as usual
President and chief executive Mark Bristow said the company was
closely monitoring the situation, constantly updating scenarios, reviewing the
latest guidance from the international medical community and engaging with its
host governments and states.
All non-essential business travel has been suspended and
non-essential projects have been curtailed. In line with directives from host
governments and the international health authorities, Barrick has put measures
in place to mitigate the risk of infection while ensuring a safe environment
for operations to continue as usual.
The company has extended its 24-hour call service to communities
and the families around operations in Argentina and has implemented similar
response services across the group’s operations.
“Barrick has
well-established prevention practices and procedures, and the experience we
gained from dealing with two Ebola pandemics around our African operations,
will stand us in good stead as we face this new and unprecedented challenge,”
Bristow said.
“We have increased
stock levels for key supplies and equipment to a minimum of three months,
identified alternative suppliers and shipping routes, and put in place
contingency plans for clearing and offloading. To date, placed and forecast
orders are still intact and there have been no hold-ups in our supply chain,”
Bristow said.