** U.S.-listed shares of Barrick Mining B.N rise 2.2% to $44.07 premarket
** The Canadian miner posts Q1 adjusted earnings per share of 98 cents; analysts on an average expected 78 cents - according to data compiled by LSEG
** Firm's board authorizes $3 billion share buyback program ahead of the planned IPO of its North American Barrick assets
** Barrick's Q1 average realized price for gold jumps to $4,823/ounce from $2,898/ounce a year earlier
** Q1 gold production declines to 719,000 ounces from 758,000 ounces
** Up till last close, stock down marginally YTD
(Reporting by Pooja Menon in Bengaluru)
((Pooja.Menon@thomsonreuters.com;))