Barrick Gold’s Lumwana mine gives $50,000 to drought relief

Barrick Gold’s Lumwana mine has donated $50,000 to government drought programmes, according to Lumwana Mine Country Manager Anthony Malenga.

In his announcement, made at the Presidential Luncheon of the 96th Zambia Agricultural and Commercial show in Lusaka, Malenga said the funds were to aid families and to “cushion the impact of the drought”.

 “This donation will go a long way in helping vulnerable families in this difficult time,” he added.

In his address, Malenga also praised the government for creating an attractive investment environment for the mining sector.

He pointed to the recently-concluded Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) and Mopani Copper Mines deals as evidence of this, describing the “remarkable efforts it [the government] has made to unlock and resolve issues” around the mines.

According to Malenga, “The two mines have been long-standing partners to Lumwana and this development is testimony to your commitment to transform the mining industry in the country”.

This is not the first time Barrick Gold has made sizable contributions to the country in times of crisis. In April 2020, as Covid-19 swept the country, the company donated $530,000 to the government to support its work combatting and containing the pandemic.