Durrant Pate/Contributor

Barrick Gold (International Holdings), a subsidiary of the Toronto-based Barrick Gold Corporation, has entered into an exploration earn-in agreement with Geophysx Jamaica on prospects located on the island.

The agreement initially provides Barrick with access to approximately 4,000 square kilometres of consolidated land throughout Jamaica with a favourable geological setting comparable to the Dominican Republic, where Barrick operates the Pueblo Viejo mine. 

Barrick will have the right to work with Geophysx to earn up to an 80 per cent joint-venture interest in designated properties upon fulfilment of certain spending obligations and study-deliverable milestones. Barrick will act as the operator, in partnership with Geophysx, leveraging Geophysx’s existing personnel, knowledge, facilities and equipment.

Company principals hail the deal

Mark Bristow, Barrick president and CEO, is pleased to partner with Geophysx, which has assembled a large, consolidated portfolio of work and holdings in Jamaica, a significantly underexplored and prospective region. 

“We look forward to advancing our partnership by combining and leveraging Geophysx’s capabilities and presence on the island, along with the remarkable dataset they have created, with Barrick’s technical and financial resources to deliver new world-class discoveries. We also look forward to partnering with the government of Jamaica to pursue projects for the benefit of the country and local communities,” Bristow said in a press statement announcing the deal.

For his part, Robert ‘Bobby’ Stewart, Founder and Managing Director of Geophysx says, “we are excited to be partnering with Barrick, a company that not only shares our beliefs in environmentally responsible and sustainable exploration and mining, but is also a sector-leading gold and copper producer with a portfolio which spans the world’s most prolific gold and copper districts.”

Continuing, Stewart remarks, “this is an amazing opportunity for Jamaica to grow a new economic base. Barrick’s experience in exploring, developing, and operating projects combined with Geophyx’s in-country knowledge and committed team, makes this an ideal partnership to advance the industry in Jamaica. We admire Barrick’s commitment to partnering with host countries and communities to transform their natural resources into tangible benefits and mutual prosperity.”

A private mineral exploration company, Geophysx is the dominant mineral exploration force and license holder in the nation of Jamaica. The company is committed to modern and responsible exploration. 

Over the last six years, it has been engaged in an intensive nationwide greenfield exploration programme. Geophysx has conducted high-quality early-stage exploration work including geochemical sampling, geological mapping, and industry-leading airborne geophysical surveys. 

These datasets provide the two companies with an opportunity to move rapidly to target definition and accelerate the potential discovery of new resources.