Quick Facts
| Location | Haut-Uele Province; 3.01°N, 29.59°E |
| Ownership | Barrick 45%, AngloGold Ashanti 45%, SOKIMO (state) 10% |
| Production | ~688,000-755,000 oz gold guidance 2025; Q3 2025: 191,000 oz (+21% YoY) |
| Workforce | ~8,000 direct; 500+ Congolese supplier companies |
| Primary Minerals | Gold |
| Corridor Connection | Northeast DRC; not directly on Lobito Corridor route but significant DRC mining context |
Overview
Kibali is Africa's largest gold mine and one of the continent's greenest mining operations. Located in the northeast of the DRC, approximately 220 kilometres east of Isiro and 150 kilometres west of the Ugandan border town of Arua, Kibali has been in production since 2013 and has consistently delivered as a Tier One asset.
The mine is operated by Barrick through the Kibali Goldmines SA joint venture with AngloGold Ashanti (45% each) and the DRC state-owned SOKIMO (10%). Since first gold in 2013, Kibali has replaced every ounce mined and more, demonstrating exceptional reserve replacement capability.
In Q3 2025, Kibali produced 191,000 ounces of gold, a 21% increase year-over-year driven by a 133% surge in open-pit ore extraction. Full-year 2025 guidance ranges from 688,000 to 755,000 ounces. Drilling along the ARK-KCD corridor is revealing significant additional orebodies that could extend the mine's life well beyond its current 10-year horizon.
Kibali has contributed over USD 6.3 billion to the Congolese economy, including USD 3.1 billion in payments to local contractors and partners. More than 700 Congolese companies are supported through procurement. The mine operates a 16 MW solar-plus-battery plant that pushes its renewable energy share to 85%, allowing the site to run entirely on green power during the six-month rainy season.
While Kibali is located in northeast DRC rather than along the southern Lobito Corridor route, it is directly relevant as a case study in responsible large-scale mining in the DRC, Barrick's stated interest in expanding into DRC copper projects, and the broader investment climate that shapes all DRC mining operations.
Community Impact
Kibali has transformed what was previously the disadvantaged northeast region of the DRC into an economic frontier. The mine's community development fund, funded at 0.3% of revenue, has completed 41 of 44 planned community projects. The successful resettlement of Durba town residents to a model village is considered a benchmark for community relocation in African mining.
All tenders are published jointly by the mine and the DRC's subcontracting regulator (ARSP), supporting over 500 Congolese companies. Satellite mining pits at Kalimva, Ikamva and Ndala are operated under contracts with local businesses.
Environmental Profile
Kibali is recognized as one of the greenest gold mines on the African continent. Three hydropower stations provide the majority of the mine's energy, supplemented by a 16 MW solar plant with battery storage commissioned in 2025. This pushes renewable energy usage to 85%, with the mine running entirely on renewable power during the six-month rainy season.
Kibali has also embarked on a feasibility assessment for introducing additional white rhinos into the nearby Garamba National Park, demonstrating commitment to regional biodiversity. A REDD+ carbon initiative is being explored.
ESG Assessment
Status: Under Assessment
This mine has not yet received a formal Lobito Corridor ESG rating. Our assessment team is compiling baseline data from public sources, field observations, and stakeholder consultations. ESG ratings, when issued, will be verified through the source library.
Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 2009 | Barrick and AngloGold Ashanti acquire interests via Moto Goldmines |
| 2013 | First gold poured at Kibali |
| 2023 | Produced 762,000 ounces of gold |
| 2024 | Highest yearly throughput since commissioning; leadership reset |
| 2025 | 688,000-755,000 oz guidance; 16 MW solar plant commissioned; ARK-KCD drilling confirms resource extension |
| 2026 | Exploring new gold and copper opportunities from Kibali base |
Related Pages
Company: Barrick Mining
Minerals: Gold
Related Mines: Lumwana (Barrick, Zambia)
Country: DRC Profile
Index: All Mine Profiles · ESG Observatory
This profile is produced independently by Lobito Corridor and does not represent the views of Barrick Mining / AngloGold Ashanti or any government. Data sourced from public filings, government reports, and independent research. Last updated: May 19, 2026.
Independent ESG Assessment
Our independent ESG assessment evaluates this operation's environmental management, social impact, governance quality, and disclosure transparency. Environmental assessment covers water management, waste handling, air emissions, biodiversity impacts, and mine closure planning. Social assessment examines community relations, employment practices, local procurement, benefit-sharing, and human rights performance. Governance assessment evaluates corporate transparency, anti-corruption measures, and stakeholder engagement quality.
Assessment findings are incorporated into our quarterly Corridor ESG Scorecards, providing stakeholders with comparable, independent ratings across all major corridor mining operations. Operations meeting our assessment thresholds are eligible for verified ESG ratings issued from our evidence archive — verifiable reputation signals that differentiate responsible operators from those whose ESG claims are unsubstantiated. Rating publication requires demonstrated performance, not just policy commitments.
Community Impact Monitoring
Community impact monitoring around this operation tracks the full spectrum of mining effects on surrounding populations. Employment and procurement spending quantify direct economic benefits to local communities. Environmental monitoring tracks water quality, air quality, and ecosystem health in areas affected by operations. Community consultation processes are evaluated for meaningful participation versus performative compliance. Grievance mechanisms are assessed for accessibility, responsiveness, and outcome fairness.
Our monitoring provides the independent verification that enables stakeholders — investors, regulators, civil society, and affected communities themselves — to assess whether this operation delivers the community benefits that its social licence to operate requires. Documentation is preserved on our source evidence archive, creating permanent records that support long-term accountability and prevent the revisionism that undermines community claims when corporate memory proves conveniently selective.
Labour Practices Assessment
Labour practices at this operation are assessed against both national labour law requirements and international standards including ILO conventions and the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights. Our assessment covers wage levels and payment practices, working hours and overtime compensation, occupational health and safety conditions, freedom of association and collective bargaining, contract terms and employment security, and subcontractor labour standards. Subcontractor labour conditions receive particular attention as subcontracting relationships can create distance between the operating company and workers that enables standards erosion.
Our assessment includes worker consultation that captures perspectives not reflected in corporate compliance reporting. Workers face barriers to reporting concerns through company channels including fear of retaliation, distrust of management-controlled grievance mechanisms, and language barriers. Our independent worker consultation provides confidential channels through which labour concerns can be documented and, where appropriate, escalated through advocacy or referral to labour rights organisations. All worker consultation documentation is handled with strict confidentiality to protect worker anonymity and prevent retaliation.
Supply Chain and Market Position
This mine's position within global mineral supply chains determines the economic dynamics that shape its operational decisions and community impact. Copper and cobalt prices, processing locations, end-user industries, and supply-demand dynamics create the commercial context within which environmental and social management decisions are made. When commodity prices are high, operators may invest more in community development and environmental management; when prices fall, these investments face pressure. Our monitoring tracks the relationship between market conditions and ESG performance to assess whether responsible practices are maintained through market cycles or only during profitable periods.
The corridor's logistics infrastructure — railway capacity, port throughput, transport costs — directly affects this mine's export economics. Improved corridor logistics reduce transport costs, improving mine profitability and potentially creating space for increased community benefit-sharing. Conversely, logistics bottlenecks increase costs and reduce the economic surplus available for community investment. Our strategic analysis evaluates how corridor infrastructure development affects this mine's economics and, consequently, the resources available for community benefit and environmental management.