Barrick extends credit facility, adding in sustainability-linked metrics

Barrick Gold (NYSE: GOLD) (TSX: ABX) has extended its undrawn $3 billion revolving credit facility by one year to May 2027, while also replacing LIBOR with SOFR as the floating rate mechanism related to the interest rate and establishing sustainability metrics linked to the facility.

According to Barrick, the sustainability-linked metrics incorporated into the revolving credit facility are made up of annual environmental and social performance targets directly influenced by its actions, rather than based on external ratings.

The performance targets include Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions intensity, water use efficiency (reuse and recycling rates), and total recordable injury frequency rate (TRIFR). The company may incur positive or negative pricing adjustments on drawn credit spreads and standby fees based on its sustainability performance versus the targets that have been set.

“The extension of the termination date of our undrawn credit facility, combined with our strong balance sheet, highlights the current strength of Barrick’s liquidity, while the establishment of sustainability-linked metrics, along with Barrick’s recently released 2021 Sustainability Report, continues to show Barrick’s commitment to ESG,” Barrick’s CFO Graham Shuttleworth said in a media statement.

Barrick’s long-term credit is currently rated BBB+ and Baa1 by S&P Global Ratings and Moody’s Investors Service, respectively.