Global miner Barrick Gold Corporation’s Kiballi gold mine, in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), has partnered with the oversight body of the subcontracting sector, the Autorite de Regulation de la Sous-Traisance dans le Secteur Prive (ARSP), to advance various local content initiatives.
The partnership has been designed to increase the mine’s already extensive use of Congolese contractors and suppliers.
Kibali has spent more than $2.6-billion with local suppliers since 2009, while the majority of its workforce, including the GM, are Congolese nationals.
ARSP CEO Miguel Katemb says the mine has considerably contributed to the DRC economy, and is encouraged about its plans to continue doing so.
Barrick president and CE Mark Bristow says the group’s global policy is to support local businesses and employ host country nationals and that Kibali’s local procurement policy aligns well with the aims of the ARSP.
Bristow believes the Kibali mine has, since 2009, managed to transform the previously disadvantaged northeastern corner of the country into a flourishing commercial hub.
“We will continue to drive sustainable value creation through our partnerships here,” he states, adding that the mine has actively mentored the growth of local enterprises into substantial businesses, as well as provided opportunities to sharpen commercial and technical skills.