B2Gold Corp. Provides Update on COVID-19 Cases at the Fekola Mine, Mali
News Release
B2Gold Corp. Provides Update on COVID-19 Cases at the Fekola Mine, Mali
Vancouver, May 7, 2020 – B2Gold Corp. (TSX: BTO, NYSE AMERICAN: BTG, NSX: B2G) (“B2Gold”
or the “Company”) announces that it has identified 10 positive COVID-19 cases at the Fekola mine site, 9
of which are currently asymptomatic, through the Company’s ongoing proactive COVID-19 testing and
response plan . Fekola has implemented testing program s at the mine site, the exploration camp and in
Bamako which are designed to identify asymptomatic carriers of C OVID-19 and protect Fekola’s
employees, both site and Bamako-based, local community populations, and the general Malian population.
These results do not have a material impact on operations and the mine continues to operate and maintain
both quarterly and annual production budget guidance.
B2Gold places the safety and well-being of its workforce as the highest priority and continues to encourage
input from all its stakeholders as the situation continues to evolve. The Company continues to monitor
public and employee sentiment to ensure that stakeholders are in alignment with the continued operations
at the mine.
The Fekola project, located in Southwest Mali, announced the first positive C OVID-19 case on April, 16
2020 (an employee at the Fekola exploration camp approximately 5 km from the Fekola project) despite
operating a significantly reduced access basis since March 24 , 2020, allowing only minimal movement of
personnel between Bamako and the Fekola site. Additionally, starting April 19, 2020, the site was further
locked down and employees from local villages in the Fekola area were brought to live in temporary
accommodations on site to create an “island setting” with minimal interaction with local communities. All
employees entering the Fekola project are now required to quarantine for a minimum of twelve days prior
to entering the general site population. Despite these measures, one new positive C OVID-19 case was
identified on May 2, 2020. In accordance with standard protocol, contact tracing was completed and all
persons known to have interacted with the person testing positive were immediately isolated and, based on
their proximity to the positive case, were tested regardless of whether or not symptoms were present. Based
on this proactive testing, an additional 9 employees have now tested positive for COVID-19, with all such
persons currently being asymptomatic. All persons testing positive have been removed from site and
protective measures have been reinforced, working closely with site personnel, local communities, unions
and the Government of Mali.
The Company’s procedures continue to evolve in conjunction with World Health Organization and Center
for Disease Control guidelines as more becomes known about the virus and the Company is regularly
monitoring the situation and following local and national health authori ty requirements and
recommendations. A critical care specialist has been consulting to the Company to assist with developing
guidelines as well as local and global implementation policies. B2Gold is currently reviewing options, with
support from the Mali an government, for conducting comprehensive on-site testing of all employees for
the COVID-19 virus with the goal of testing each employee prior to entering or exiting the Fekola project.
B2Gold continues to engage with local stakeholders to prevent the COVID-19 virus from entering the
communities around our operations. Education programs are continuing to be put into place to protect local
communities by promoting hygienic practices and limit social interactions, in an effort to prevent the spread
of the virus.
The Fekola mine continues to operate without impediments to mining or milling and expects to meet or
exceed its production estimates for the second quarter of 2020 and annual 2020 guidance. Additionally, all
supply lines remain open and the site continues to receive supplies critical to operating at full capacity. The
expansion of the Fekola mill continues and is expected to be completed by the end of the third quarter of
2020. The mining fleet expansion continues to perform well with the first 6040 excavator now operational
and loading the first eight 789 trucks, which were delivered to site ahead of schedule. The second planned
delivery of equipment has now been received on sit e and is currently undergoing assembly and
commissioning. Expansion of the tailings storage facility remains on schedule and will provide capacity
for tailings disposal in 2023.
About B2Gold Corp.
B2Gold is a low-cost international senior gold producer headquartered in Vancouver, Canada. Founded in
2007, today, B2Gold has operating gold mines in Mali, Namibia and the Philippines and numerous
exploration and development projects in various countries including Mali and Colombia. In 2020, B2Gold
forecasts consolidated gold production of between 1,000,000 and 1,055,000 ounces.
ON BEHALF OF B2GOLD CORP.
"Clive T. Johnson"
President & Chief Executive Officer
For more information on B2Gold, please visit the Company website at www.b2gold.com or contact:
Ian MacLean Katie Bromley
Vice President, Investor Relations Manager, Investor Relations & Public Relations
+1 604-681-8371 +1 604-681-8371
[email protected] [email protected]
The Toronto Stock Exchange and NYSE American LLC neither approve nor disapprove the information contained in
this news release.
This news release includes certain “forward- looking information” and “forward- looking statements” (collectively
“forward-looking statements”) within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities leg islation,
including: projections; outlook; guidance; forecasts; estimates; and other statements regarding future or estimated
financial and operational performance, gold production and sales, and budgets on a consolidated and mine by mine
basis; the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on B2Gold’s operations, including any restrictions or suspensions with
respect to our operations and the effect of any such restrictions or suspensions on our financial and operational
results; the ability of the Company to successfully maintain our operations if they are temporarily suspended, and to
restart or ramp -up these operations efficiently and economically, the impact of COVID -19 on the Company’s
workforce, suppliers and other essential resources and what effect those imp acts, if they occur, would have on our
business, our planned capital and exploration expenditures; statements regarding activities or achievements of
B2Gold including, without limitation: consolidated gold production of between 1,000,000 and 1,055,000 ounc es in
2020. All statements in this news release that address events or developments that we expect to occur in the future are
forward-looking statements. Forward -looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are
generally, although not always, identified by words such as “expect”, “plan”, “anticipate”, “project”, “target”,
“potential”, “schedule”, “forecast”, “budget”, “estimate”, “intend” or “believe” and similar expressions or their
negative connotations, or that events or conditions “will”, “would”, “may”, “could”, “should” or “might” occur.
All such forward -looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date such
statements are made.
Forward-looking statements necessarily involve assumptions, ri sks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond
B2Gold’s control, including risks associated with or related to: the duration and extent of the COVID- 19 pandemic,
the effectiveness of preventative measures and contingency plans put in place by the Company to respond to the
COVID-19 pandemic, including, but not limited to, social distancing, a non -essential travel ban, business continuity
plans, and efforts to mitigate supply chain disruptions; the volatility of metal prices and B2Gold’s common shares;
changes in tax laws; the dangers inherent in exploration, development and mining activities; the uncertainty of reserve
and resource estimates; not achieving production, cost or other estimates; actual production, development plans and
costs differing materi ally from the estimates in B2Gold’s feasibility and other studies; the ability to obtain and
maintain any necessary permits, consents or authorizations required for mining activities; environmental regulations
or hazards and compliance with complex regulat ions associated with mining activities; climate change and climate
change regulations; the ability to replace mineral reserves and identify acquisition opportunities; the unknown
liabilities of companies acquired by B2Gold; the ability to successfully inte grate new acquisitions; fluctuations in
exchange rates; the availability of financing; financing and debt activities, including potential restrictions imposed
on B2Gold’s operations as a result thereof and the ability to generate sufficient cash flows; operations in foreign and
developing countries and the compliance with foreign laws, including those associated with operations in Colombia
and including risks related to changes in foreign laws and changing policies related to mining and local ownership
requirements or resource nationalization generally; remote operations and the availability of adequate infrastructure;
fluctuations in price and availability of energy and other inputs necessary for mining operations; shortages or cost
increases in necessary e quipment, supplies and labour; regulatory, political and country risks, including local
instability or acts of terrorism and the effects thereof; the reliance upon contractors, third parties and joint venture
partners; challenges to title or surface rights ; the dependence on key personnel and the ability to attract and retain
skilled personnel; the risk of an uninsurable or uninsured loss; adverse climate and weather conditions; litigation
risk; competition with other mining companies; community support for B2Gold’s operations, including risks related
to strikes and the halting of such operations from time to time; conflicts with small scale miners; failures of information
systems or information security threats; the outcome of the ongoing tax assessment by the Colombian Tax Office
(DIAN) in respect of the Gramalote property; the ability to maintain adequate internal controls over financial
reporting as required by law, including Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act; compliance with anti-corruption laws,
and sanctions or other similar measures; social media and B2Gold’s reputation; as well as other factors identified
and as described in more detail under the heading “Risk Factors” in B2Gold’s most recent Annual Information Form,
B2Gold’s current Form 40-F Annual Report and B2Gold’s other filings with Canadian securities regulators and the
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), which may be viewed at www.sedar.com and www.sec.gov,
respectively (the “Websites”). The list is not exhaustive of the fa ctors that may affect B2Gold’s forward -looking
statements.
B2Gold’s forward-looking statements are based on the applicable assumptions and factors management considers
reasonable as of the date hereof, based on the information available to management at such time. These assumptions
and factors include, but are not limited to, assumptions and factors relating to B2Gold’s ability to carry on current
and future operations, including: the duration and effects of COVID -19 on our operations and workforce;
development and exploration activities; the timing, extent, durat ion and economic viability of such operations,
including any mineral resources or reserves identified thereby; the accuracy and reliability of estimates, projections,
forecasts, studies and assessments; B2Gold’s ability to meet or achieve estimates, projec tions and forecasts; the
availability and cost of inputs; the price and market for outputs, including gold; the timely receipt of necessary
approvals or permits; the ability to meet current and future obligations; the ability to obtain timely financing on
reasonable terms when required; the current and future social, economic and political conditions; and other
assumptions and factors generally associated with the mining industry. B2Gold’s forward -looking statements are
based on the opinions and estimates of management and reflect their current expectations regarding future events and
operating performance and speak only as of the date hereof. B2Gold does not assume any obligation to update
forward-looking statements if circumstances or management’s beliefs, expectations or opinions should change other
than as required by applicable law. There can be no assurance that forward -looking statements will prove to be
accurate, and actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied
by, these forward -looking statements. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that any events anticipated by the
forward-looking statements will transpire or occur, or if any of them do, what benefits or liabilities B2Gold will derive
therefrom. For the reasons set forth above, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements.