TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Oct. 27, 2011) - Barrick Gold Corporation (NYSE:ABX)(TSX:ABX) - THIRD QUARTER REPORT 2011 Based on IFRS and expressed in US dollars For a full explanation of results, the Financial Statements and Management Discussion & Analysis, please see the Company's website, www.barrick.com . Highlights Financial and Operating Results - Reported net earnings for Q3 rose 45% to a record $1.37 billion ($1.37 per share) from $942 million ($0.96 per share) in the prior year period. Q3 adjusted net earnings increased 52% to $1.39 billion ($1.39 per share)1 from $912 million ($0.93 per share) in Q3 2010, reflecting higher gold and copper prices along with higher copper sales volumes, resulting in an annualized return on equity of approximately 25%1. - Q3 EBITDA increased 47% to $2.46 billion1 from $1.67 billion in the same prior year period. Q3 operating cash flow rose 35% to a record $1.89 billion from $1.40 billion and adjusted operating cash flow increased 33% to $1.92 billion1 from $1.44 billion in Q3 2010. - Q3 gold production was 1.93 million ounces at total cash costs of $453 per ounce and net cash costs of $328 per ounce1. The Company is on track to meet its full year operating guidance, with production expected to be 7.6-7.8 million ounces at total cash costs of $460-$475 per ounce, within original guidance ranges. Net cash costs for 2011 are anticipated to be $330-$350 per ounce2, reflecting a lower copper price assumption than previously assumed. Copper production is expected to be 450-460 million pounds at total cash costs of $1.60-$1.70 per pound in 2011. - Gold cash margins expanded significantly in the third quarter, highlighting Barrick's leverage to higher gold prices. Gold cash margins increased 55% to $1,290 per ounce1 from $834 per ounce in Q3 2010 and net cash margins rose 51% to $1,415 per ounce1 from $939 per ounce in the same prior year period. Returning Captial to Shareholders - Consistent with Barrick's practice of paying a progressive dividend, the Board of Directors has authorized a quarterly dividend of 15 cents per share, which represents a 25% increase from the previous dividend. The Company's strong earnings and operating cash flows, combined with its positive outlook on the gold price, enables it to continue to make high return investments in its project pipeline and also increase its dividend. Over the last five years, Barrick has had a consistent track record of returning capital to shareholders, increasing its dividend by more than 170%5 on a quarterly basis. FINANCIAL AND OPERATING RESULTS Q3 production was 1.93 million ounces of gold at total cash costs of $453 per ounce and net cash costs of $328 per ounce. The Company is on track to achieve its original full year operating guidance and has narrowed expected gold production and cash cost ranges to 7.6-7.8 million ounces at total cash costs of $460-$475 per ounce. Net cash costs for 2011 are expected to be $330-$350 per ounce, reflecting a lower copper price assumption than previously assumed. In 2012, total cash costs are expected to be approximately 10% higher, primarily due to inflationary cost pressures, as well as a change in the production mix. Gold production in 2012 is anticipated to be comparable to 2011. Q3 gold cash margins increased 55% to $1,290 per ounce from $834 per ounce in Q3 2010 and net cash margins rose 51% to $1,415 per ounce from $939 per ounce in the same prior year period. This margin expansion demonstrates the Company's exceptional leverage to higher gold prices |