Barrick Receives Public Private Partnership Award

Office of the Governor

PIERRE, S.D. - The National Governors Association (NGA) has selected Barrick Gold of North America, Inc. as a recipient of the Public Private Partnership Award.

The NGA Public-Private Partnership Awards were established last year to recognize NGA Corporate Fellow companies for noteworthy partnerships with governors and states and to honor companies that have partnered with a governor's office to implement a program or project that positively affects a state's citizens. Barrick is one of two recipients this year.

Barrick was nominated by Gov. Mike Rounds for its partnership with the South Dakota Science and Technology Authority. The partnership helped South Dakota secure the Homestake mine in Lead, S.D., as the National Science Foundation's site for the proposed Deep Underground Science and Engineering Laboratory (DUSEL). The DUSEL will produce advanced scientific research in several fields, create new educational opportunities for students wishing to pursue science, and potentially have an economic impact of more than $1 billion.

"Thanks to the wonderful generosity of Barrick, our state has had an opportunity to create a new tomorrow for Homestake and for South Dakota," said Gov. Rounds. "This laboratory will bring together some of the brightest minds in the world and create an immeasurable educational opportunity for our country's youth who want to pursue a career in science. Its impact on science, research, and education will be realized for generations."

"Barrick believes in creating a positive legacy in the communities where we operate," said Patrick Garver, executive vice president of Barrick. "We are proud to be part of the impending transformation of the historic Homestake Mine into a vibrant centre for world-class scientific research and discovery. We also offer sincere thanks to Governor Mike Rounds for his leadership on this project and thank the National Governors Association for recognizing our commitment to strong community partnerships."

Today, Gov. Rounds will help present the Public-Private Partnership Award at the NGA's Winter Meeting in Washington, D.C. Patrick Garver will accept the award on behalf of Barrick.

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