Barrick’s Mark Bristow was a serial boaster who ultimately failed to deliver

opinion

Barrick Mining on Monday announced the departure of CEO Mark Bristow, effective immediately. He was originally chosen for the job in 2019.

Mark Bristow spent his six-plus years as chief executive officer at Barrick Mining Corp. ABX-T telling investors how smart he was, and how dumb his rivals were.

When smaller domestic players such as Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd. or Kinross Gold Corp. paid up to acquire mines in stable jurisdictions, you could count on Mr. Bristow to sound off on the industry’s track record for value-destroying takeovers.

Mr. Bristow was equally blunt in his assessment of his peers’ operating abilities. Shortly before taking the helm at Barrick in 2019, the then-CEO of Randgold Resources Ltd. told a conference: “The one thing this industry does very well is min