LEHIGH VALLEY, Pa., Oct. 10, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Air Products (NYSE: APD) recently signed a contract with Barrick Goldstrike that extends its long-standing agreement to operate and maintain Barrick's oxygen plant in Elko, Nevada. In addition to running the Barrick plant, Air Products plans to install new oxygen plant process equipment and technology designed to help Barrick reduce operating costs and emissions, as well as increase gold production.

"We are honored by Barrick's continued trust in our ability to not only successfully run this critical operation for them, but implement changes in process equipment and technology that will improve their overall operation," said Victoria Brifo, vice president of Equipment Sales, Plant Support and Central Procurement at Air Products. "This project is a great example of how we strive to exceed our customers' expectations by working closely with them to understand their operations and develop solutions that meet their changing needs."

Barrick uses oxygen for temperature control in its roaster process. Employing the optimal temperature, which varies depending on ore make-up, results in a cleaner process and increased gold production.

"Air Products has demonstrated exemplary service, operating and maintaining the oxygen plant to the highest possible standards," said Chris Nelson, Goldstrike metallurgist. "A willingness to adapt and support our changing needs has been key to our relationship and remains as we continue to work together to optimize the overall process."

Over the years, Air Products' Industrial Gas Plant Support (IGPS) organization has worked with Barrick to implement numerous process improvement projects, such as molecular sieve change-outs and main air compressor services. The IGPS organization, unique in the industry, is focused on providing engineering and operating services, equipment and spare parts to customers globally. Air Products has designed, built and maintained more than 2,200 plants in over 40 countries and has extensive experience with customer-owned plants.

About Air Products

Air Products (NYSE: APD) is a world-leading Industrial Gases company in operation for over 75 years. The Company's core industrial gases business provides atmospheric and process gases and related equipment to manufacturing markets, including refining and petrochemical, metals, electronics, and food and beverage. Air Products is also the world's leading supplier of liquefied natural gas process technology and equipment.

The Company had fiscal 2016 sales of $7.5 billion from continuing operations in 50 countries and has a current market capitalization of approximately $30 billion. Approximately 16,000 employees are making Air Products the world's safest and best performing industrial gases company, providing sustainable offerings and excellent service to all customers. For more information, visit www.airproducts.com.

NOTE: This release may contain forward-looking statements within the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on management's reasonable expectations and assumptions as of the date of this release regarding important risk factors. Actual performance and financial results may differ materially from projections and estimates expressed in the forward-looking statements because of many factors not anticipated by management, including risk factors described in the Company's Form 10K for its fiscal year ended September 30, 2016.

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SOURCE Air Products