Since the merger of Barrick Gold (TSX: ABX; NYSE: GOLD) and Randgold Resources early in 2019, the new gold major appears to be completing a full circle under the leadership of Mark Bristow by increasingly prioritizing value-adding grass-roots exploration and development, he tells The Northern Miner.
After kicking off a period of top-tier gold-industry consolidation, the company has been focusing on “right-sizing” the portfolio, focusing only on Tier 1 and Tier 2 assets. But getting back to value creation through the drill bit is something close to the former Randgold Resources executive’s heart and an activity he is increasingly able to accomplish as most of Barrick’s operating assets are currently performing well.
