Barrick Mining has received a 15-year renewal of the Special Mining Licences from the Tanzanian Government for its North Mara Gold Mine in the Tarime district of the Mara region.
The decision will allow Barrick to maintain its investment in the mine and continue operations for a long period.
Since assuming control of North Mara in 2019, Barrick has reported an increase in local hiring and economic contributions to communities near its operations.
Of the approximately 3,000 employees now working for Barrick in Tanzania, Tanzanian nationals represent 96%.
The company states that 47% of its workforce is recruited from local communities surrounding the mines.
Barrick indicates that it has contributed around $5.3bn (C$7.56bn) to Tanzania’s economy since 2019 through taxes, royalties, salaries, dividends and local procurement.
In 2025 alone, the company injected $1.2bn into the economy from such activities.
Barrick says that more than 90% of procurement is sourced from companies registered in Tanzania. The majority of those suppliers are indigenous companies.
Located approximately 100km east of Lake Victoria and around 20km south of the Kenyan border, North Mara began commercial operations in 2002.
The site includes both open-pit and underground mining activities, drawing ore from two main deposits: Gokona, which is developed underground, and Nyabirama, which is mined as an open pit.
The processing facility at North Mara is able to handle an average of 8,000t of ore each day.
Barrick’s Rest of World business CEO Seb Bock said: “This is an important milestone for North Mara and for our partnership with Tanzania.
“Since 2019, we have worked with the Government of Tanzania and local communities to build a stronger partnership and to create more opportunities for all Tanzanians.
“At the core of our business is building partnerships of real depth and trust with all stakeholders, and this renewal reflects that commitment.”
In 2019, Barrick and the Government of Tanzania formed Twiga Minerals to jointly manage the North Mara and Bulyanhulu mines.
Last month, Barrick reached a collective bargaining deal with unions representing workers at its Loulo-Gounkoto gold mine in western Mali.
