Barrick digs deep and gives big in Tanzania

Barrick digs deep and gives big in Tanzania

Global mining company Barrick’s impact in Tanzania has been significant.

By Leon Louw founder of WhyAfrica and editor of the WhyAfrica magazine.

Last year, during the 2025 WhyAfrica Road Trip through Africa, I spent five full days with multinational mining company Barrick in Tanzania, East Africa.

As part of the WhyAfrica Road Trip story, I not only visited all Barrick’s mining sites in the country but stayed over at the mining villages of Buzwagi, Bulyanhulu and North Mara to get an understanding of the unique Barrick culture that makes it such a great global company.

I met supervisor’s and foremen from across Africa at Buzwagi’s world class academy, ventured underground at “Bully” and had a fantastic “braai” with the team at North Mara.

The unique Barrick culture

There is no doubt that Barrick is at the forefront of efficient mining in Africa. However, when driving away from North Mara towards Mount Kilimanjaro in Moshi, I understood what makes Barrick such a giant in African mining.

It is the quality of the people working for Barrick, the unique culture within the company, and the philosophy of always investing in the future of local communities that impressed me the most.

Earlier this week Barrick’s President and CEO Mark Bristow said that the Twiga partnership between Barrick and the government of Tanzania had created a sustainable model for mineral development in Tanzania.

“When we established Twiga, it was about more than just resolving legacy issues.  It was about building a new future by unlocking Tanzania’s gold endowment in a way that fairly shares the benefits and builds lasting value for all stakeholders,” said Bristow.

Barrick’s contribution to Tanzania’s economy

According to Bristow Barrick had injected more than USD4.79-billion into the Tanzanian economy since taking control in 2019.

The company gave the economy a massive boost in 2025, contributing more than USD558- million in the first half of 2025.

“More than 90% of procurement continues to be with Tanzanian suppliers, the majority of whom are indigenous companies, and 96% of our workforce is Tanzanian with 49% coming from communities around the mine,” said Bristow.

Meanwhile at Bully, development of the Upper West decline is well advanced and at North Mara underground and open-pit mining are progressing according to plan.

Building relations in Tanzania 

“We’ve had to work hard to rebuild community relationships in Tanzania, particularly around North Mara, and we are seeing the benefits of consistent engagement and delivery on our commitments,” said Bristow.

In picture is the fantastic team at Barrick’s legendary Bulyanhulu gold mine that took me underground and to the many exploration riggs in the area (image credit: Leon Louw for WhyAfrica).

In their hands are copies of WhyAfrica’s well-travelled Road Trip magazine. Remember, if you’re a supplier or service provider, these are the safe hands you should be in.

The next WhyAfrica Road Trip departs in late August. Don’t miss the buzz through Africa!

Barrick digs deep and gives big in Tanzania