New book ‘102 Things to Do with a Hole in the Ground‘ spotlights global reclamation projects
Stories of reinvented coal mining regions, regenerated communities and rebuilt ecosystems are told in a new book published this month.
Canada’s Barrick Gold’s (TSX, NYSE:ABX), the world’s largest bullion producer, has decided to eliminate some of its regional managers in an effort to both oversee operations at the head office and improve performance.
According to the company’s CEO, Jamie Sokalsky, the restructuring will help the firm cut complexity and focus on generating long-term efficiency as well as lower costs, reported Sunday FT.com (subs. required).
“This structure ensures that our mining leaders are able to focus their full attention on achieving the best possible operational results,” Sokalsky said in a memo to its employees, reported FT.com.
The news comes on the heels of a report last week that revealed shareholders and investors are pressing harder than ever for a swift change in the board, which would include bidding farewell to the company’s founder Peter Munk.
As most gold miners, Barrick has been hit hard by weak commodity prices and increasing mine costs. During the past few months, it has cut its head count and postponed projects. It has also reduced its dividend as the price of gold has collapsed.
Being the most debt-heavy company in the gold sector, however, has meant for Barrick to be among those that have lost the most due to waning bullion prices.
“The company has never been known for managing its cash or resources well or, for that matter, being investor friendly,” writes Steve McDonald, bond strategist for The Oxford Club.
“It has a history of being too aggressive in its growth efforts and having too many underperforming assets that are too spread out,” he adds.
Only last month, the Toronto-based miner logged close to $13 billion impairment charges and an $8.6 billion loss in the second-quarter of the year. It also announced it was reducing its quarterly dividend to five cents per share and that it would continue to cut down on both its workforce and capital spending.
The company’s stock is down almost 50% this year, as it has faced cost overruns, writedowns, and opposition to co-chairman, John Thornton’s $11.9 million signing bonus, from shareholders including Canada’s six largest pension fund managers.
Image courtesy of Barrick
3 Comments
Neil
Barrick has no respect for it’s regular employees and its about time the managers felt the pain too. What goes around, comes around.
Issabelle
For sure ….. I hope that all the managers in Johannesburg head office is part of this too !! They think they own Barrick for themselves !!!
Buyer
It’s interesting just recently Barrick was the only resource company with AAA investment grade bond rating… Goes to show how full of $hit are the Steve McDonalds of the world….