Thought this might help regarding Barrick's exposure to losses...

"TORONTO, ONTARIO, Aug 16, 2007 (CCNMatthews via COMTEX News Network) -- Barrick Gold Corporation (TSX:ABX)(NYSE:ABX) advised today that its exposure to the Canadian Asset- Backed Commercial Paper Market is limited to an investment of US$65 million. This amount represents less than 3 per cent of Barrick's total cash position of about US$2.6 billion. The commercial paper investment is currently rated R-1 high by Dominion Bond Rating Service Limited.

The remainder of Barrick's cash position is invested in highly rated liquid instruments with a broad range of large financial institutions."

As I see it Barrick's loss @ 50% would be $ 32.5 Million.....couldn't happen to nicer guys...but this is only a drop in the bucket to Barrick...

 The big losses will come starting in 2010 when they start delivering gold on their 9.5 million ounce hedge position...