Barrick Gold Corporation has been recognized as one of the top five companies in Canada for its climate change disclosure practices and has received separate awards for its corporate social responsibility (CSR) performance in Chile and the Dominican Republic.

For the second consecutive year, Barrick was named as a carbon disclosure leader in Canada, this year ranking among the top five companies in an annual survey conducted by the Carbon Disclosure Project. Barrick was selected from among 200 major Canadian companies as the most prepared, involved and transparent in their approach to climate change information disclosure practices and strategies. The Carbon Disclosure Project is the only global climate reporting system that asks companies to disclose GHG emissions and climate change strategies. The survey is available for use by a wide audience including institutional investors, corporations, policy makers, public sector organizations, government bodies, academics and the public.

“At Barrick, it is a business imperative to manage the long-term, energy-related risks associated with climate change,” said Bill Williams, Barrick’s vice president for Environment. “We are committed to public disclosure and are very pleased to be ranked as one of the top five leading companies in Canada by the Carbon Disclosure Project this year. We will continue to report on the progress we are making, as we pursue opportunities to reduce energy consumption, and minimize greenhouse gas emissions and adopt renewable energy projects at our operations.”

Through energy conservation and efficiency programs, Barrick’s global GHG emissions were reduced by 206,200 metric tons in 2010. The company continues to explore innovative technologies and implement alternative energy projects in Chile, Argentina, the U.S., Tanzania and other locations.

In Chile, Barrick received an award from the Chilean Ministry of Planning and Cooperation for its efforts to reduce poverty in the country’s Antofagasta and Atacama regions. “We are very proud to receive this award and it commits us to continue this type of work,” said Barrick vice president of corporate affairs Rod Jiménez. “We believe that by working together with communities, we can add value and contribute to a better society.”

Since 2009, Barrick has been working with the Solidarity and Social Investment Fund (FOSIS) to implement projects to help people living in extreme poverty near its Chilean mine sites. The programs provide assistance to micro-entrepreneurs and small businesses. In 2010, 89 entrepreneurs and 35 small businesses received support from Barrick. As well, since 2008, Barrick has been part of the Atacama Commitment, a unique alliance with Chilean NGOs and government partners that includes a range of programs and projects aimed at improving economic and social conditions in communities in the Atacama region, home to Barrick’s Cerro Casale and Pascua-Lama projects.

“This award is aimed at recognizing companies with specific programs and initiatives to overcome poverty,” said Joaquin Levin, Chile’s minister of planning and cooperation. “It is focused on identifying and rewarding everyone who is collaborating on poverty reduction initiatives and inviting others to join this challenge.”

Finally, in the Dominican Republic, Barrick’s Pueblo Viejo operation was recognized by the American Chamber of Commerce of the Dominican Republic with an award for its community development practices. The award recognizes Barrick for its innovative work in helping develop a wide array of CSR initiatives in collaboration with residents and governments in communities surrounding the Pueblo Viejo project. Pueblo Viejo was one of six companies vying for the award.

“We are thrilled and gratified to be receiving this award, which recognizes our extensive work with communities to help them determine the sustainable development initiatives that they want to implement, and ensure they have the capacity to see those initiatives through to completion,” said Faby Manzano, CSR manager, Pueblo Viejo Dominicana Corporation.

About Barrick

Barrick Gold Corporation is a Toronto-based gold mining company and industry leader, with a portfolio of 26 operating mines, and projects on five continents. Barrick trades on the Toronto and New York Stock Exchanges and employs 25,000 people worldwide. In 2010, Barrick’s global economic contribution to the local, regional and national economies of its host countries totaled approximately $9.7 billion. The company has been ranked as a world leader in social and environmental responsibility for the fourth consecutive year by the Dow Jones Sustainability Index. Barrick is also listed on the NASDAQ Global Sustainability Index of the top 100 companies.

Learn more about Barrick’s social, environmental, safety and economic development programs at www.BarrickBeyondBorders.com.

You can also follow Barrick on Twitter and Barrick on Facebook.

Barrick Gold Corporation

Barrick Gold Corporation

Barrick is the gold industry leader. Based in Toronto, the company operates mines and advanced exploration and development projects on four continents. Shares are traded on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges under the symbol ABX.

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