Barrick Gold Corporation plans to drill for gold and copper in Jamaica this year through a partnership with Geophysx Jamaica. The exploration follows the identification of significant mineral targets, with drilling anticipated in 2025, pending permits. This initiative marks a new frontier for Barrick in Jamaica and underscores the similarities between Jamaican geology and that of the Dominican Republic.
Barrick Gold Corporation, recognized as the second-largest global miner of gold and copper, has announced its plans to initiate drilling activities for these minerals in Jamaica throughout this year. The company entered into a partnership with Geophysx Jamaica in 2024 to investigate the island’s potential mineral wealth.
The collaboration involves extensive analysis of Geophysx’s data, identifying significant district-scale targets with porphyry and epithermal formations. Barrick has indicated that follow-up efforts will commence, with drilling expected in 2025, contingent upon receiving the necessary permits.
Geophysx Jamaica, led by Robert Stewart, son of the distinguished hotelier Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart, has significantly invested in mapping Jamaica’s ore deposits. The company possesses several licenses approved by the Ministry of Mining to facilitate its exploration endeavors.
Barrick regards its operations in Jamaica as an exploration of a “new frontier” for mining gold and copper, empowered by an earn-in agreement with Geophysx, which allows access to an extensive area of 4,000 square kilometers of land samples. Notably, Barrick has expressed that Jamaica shares geological characteristics with the Dominican Republic, home to the renowned Pueblo Viejo gold mine, one of the largest in the Americas.
Founded in 1983, Barrick maintains a prominent position in the global mining industry, with its operations extending across four continents. Besides its initiatives in Jamaica, the corporation is involved in mining projects in various regions, including Canada, the United States, Argentina, Chile, and several nations in Africa and Latin America.
In summary, Barrick Gold Corporation’s venture into Jamaica signifies a strategic exploration for gold and copper resources, facilitated by collaboration with Geophysx Jamaica. This partnership aims to capitalize on promising geological prospects similar to those found in the Dominican Republic. The company’s global mining influence continues to expand through its diverse international operations.
Original Source: jamaica.loopnews.com