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IMPAIRMENT OF GOODWILL AND OTHER ASSETS
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2020
Impairment of Goodwill and Other Assets [Abstract]  
Impairment of Goodwill and Other Assets IMPAIRMENT OF GOODWILL AND OTHER ASSETS
In accordance with our accounting policy, goodwill is tested for impairment in the fourth quarter and also when there is an indicator of impairment. Non-current assets are tested for impairment or impairment reversals when events or changes in circumstances suggest that the carrying amount may not be recoverable or is understated. Refer to note 21 of the 2019 Annual Financial Statements for further information.

For the six months ended June 30, 2020, we recorded net impairment reversals of $313 million (2019: $15 million impairments) for non-current assets.

Indicators of impairment and reversals

Second Quarter 2020
Porgera
As described in note 17, on April 24, 2020, we received communication from the Government of Papua New Guinea that the Special Mining Lease will not be extended, and therefore Porgera was placed on temporary care and maintenance on April 25, 2020. We have performed an analysis and concluded that the carrying value of our 47.5% share of Porgera ($254 million as at June 30, 2020) remains recoverable under the temporary care and maintenance scenario. The ultimate resolution of this dispute may differ from this assumption and there is no guarantee that the carrying value will remain recoverable.

First Quarter 2020
Tanzania
On January 24, 2020, Barrick formalized the establishment of a joint venture between Barrick and the GoT and resolution of all outstanding disputes between Barrick and the GoT, including the lifting of the previous concentrate export ban, effective immediately. Effective January 1, 2020, the GoT received a free carried shareholding of 16% in each of the Tanzania mines (Bulyanhulu, Buzwagi and North Mara), a 16% interest in the shareholder loans owed by the operating companies and will receive half of the economic benefits from the Tanzanian operations from taxes, royalties, clearing fees and participation in all cash distributions made by the mines, after the recoupment of capital investments. 

We have determined this to be an indicator of impairment reversal, as the resolution of the long standing dispute has led to a decrease in the risk adjustment previously included in the weighted average cost of capital ("WACC") and the removal of the estimated impact of the previously anticipated issuance of the equity to the GoT. The key assumptions and estimates used in determining the fair value less cost to dispose (“FVLCD”) are a short-term gold price of $1,350 per ounce, long-term gold price of $1,300 per ounce, NAV multiples of 1.1-1.3 and a WACC of 5.4%-6.2%. Management assumed the resumption of concentrate sales and exports commencing in Q2 2020 and the resumption of production from underground mining at Bulyanhulu in 2020. We identified that the FVLCD exceeded the carrying value and a full non-current asset impairment reversal was recognized in the first quarter of 2020 of $649 million at Bulyanhulu and $88 million at North
Mara, based on a FVLCD of $1,237 million and $967 million, respectively. No impairment reversal was recognized at Buzwagi.

The FVLCD was also used to determine the initial value assigned to the 16% equity interest in each of the operating mines that was given to the GoT. The recognition of this non-controlling interest in the three Tanzanian mines resulted in a loss of $238 million being recognized in the first quarter of 2020. The assignment of 16% of the existing shareholder loans also resulted in the recognition of a $167 million loss in the first quarter of 2020.

As the signing of the agreement to resolve all outstanding disputes with the GoT caused the impairment reversal, loss on equity issuance and loss on assignment of shareholder loans, the financial impact has been aggregated and presented as a $332 million net impairment reversal on the consolidated statement of income.