By Mugini Jacob in Nyamongo
Barrick Gold Corporation President and CEO, Mark Bristow has appealed for concerted efforts to help stem frequent intrusions of North Mara Gold Mine by mobs of armed youth.
Bristow made the request during his latest media briefing, a quarterly event which was held last Friday at the mine located in Nyamongo area, Tarime district of Mara region.
The Barrick President and CEO said the invasions by an alarming number of intruders have continued to cause inconveniences as well as injuries.
“I have one request and this is to every one of us, everyone. Let’s work together to stop this bad behaviour ,’’ Bristow humbly submitted during the packed media briefing which was also attended by senior regional and district government officials and community leaders, including councilors and village government chairpersons from villages surrounding the gold mine.
The mine is guarded by unarmed private security guards but at times police are called for interventions when situations are reported to be out of hand, according to available reports.
North Mara is one the country’s largest gold mines and employs hundreds of people majority of them being Tanzanians, including locals from villages in its neighbourhood.
The gold mine which also offers numerous opportunities to local suppliers is operated by Barrick Gold in partnership with the government of Tanzania through Twiga Minerals Corporation.
Bristow described the intrusion incidents happening at the gold mine as a dark issue that needs to be dealt with by everyone.
“This is a dark issue. We all know we can fix it. Tanzania has never been violent,” he further emphasized.
“We ought to protect all this development by eliminating the intruders,” Waitara said .
Earlier, when briefing the media, Bristow said Barrick has so far injected 7.5 trillion shillings into the Tanzanian economy.
“We have come a long way since 2019, and what we want to do is to have as many Tanzanian workers as possible,” the President and CEO of the world’s giant mining company said.
At the same time, Bristow said that Barrick is the biggest tax payer in Tanzania and still continues to invest in Bulyanhulu and North Mara gold mines, predicting more positive outcomes.
The Barrick Corporation chief handed over a car to officials to help make a close follow up of CSR projects in Tarime District Council.
Another event witnessed by Barrick President and CEO on Friday is the launch of the 2023 Barrick North Mara Mahusiano Cup which aims to enhance the relationship between the gold mine and local communities, and promote sustainable investment among other things.
In what was seen as a rare exciting moment, Bristow was gifted a goat by traditional leaders from Kurya clans in Tarime district, in recognition of his enormous contributions to the development of communities surrounding North Mara Gold Mine.