B2Gold Granted Fekola Regional Exploitation Permit by the State of Mali
B2Gold Granted Fekola Regional Exploitation Permit by the State of Mali
Vancouver, BC, August 7, 2026 – B2Gold Corp. (TSX: BTO, NYSE AMERICAN: BTG, NSX: B2G)
(“B2Gold” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce that the State of Mali has granted the Menankoto
exploitation permit to B2Gold’s Malian subsidiary (the “Menankoto Exploitation Permit”). The Menankoto
Exploitation Permit together with the Dand oko exploration permit make up Fekola Regional , which is a
key near-term production growth driver for B2Gold . The issuance of the Menankoto Exploitation Permit
follows productive dialogue between B2Gold and the State of Mali that commenced in late July 2025 and
has continued until present. The discussions culminated in the receipt of both the approval to commence
underground mining operations at the Fekola Mine in July 2025, and now the issuance of the Menankoto
Exploitation Permit on August 7, 2026. B2Gold and the State of Mali remain committed to the agreement
entered into in September 2024 related to the ongoing operation and governance of the Fekola Mine and
Fekola Regional (together the “Fekola Complex”). Pursuant to the terms of the agreement, the Menankoto
Exploitation Permit was issued under the 2023 Mining Code, while the Fekola Mine remains subject to the
2012 Mining Code.
The Fekola Complex is comprised of the Fekola Mine (Medinandi permit hosting the Fekola and Cardinal
open pits and Fekola underground) , owned 80% by B2Gold and 20% by the State of Mali , and Fekola
Regional (Menankoto Exploitation Permit and Dandoko permit), which will be owned 65% by B2Gold and
35% by the State of Mali. Fekola Regional is located approximately 20 kilometers from the Fekola Mine.
Mike Cinnamond, President and CEO of B2Gold, commented “The issuance of the Menankoto Exploitation
Permit is a significant milestone for both B2Gold and the State of Mali. The Fekola Complex is currently
the largest producing gold mine in Mali and issuance of the Menankoto Exploitation Permit secures the
future of the operation well into the late 2030’s. B2Gold is committed to working in a transparent manner
to ensure the continuation of the positive and mutually beneficial partnership between the Company and
the State of Mali, for the benefit of the Malian people and all stakeholders. The Company's total investment
in Mali since 2014 has reached over $2.0 billion, and B2Gold is a significant employer with more than
3,300 workers of which approximately 98% are Malian nationals. Through its investment s, B2Gold has
provided major economic benefits including job creation, training, capacity building and community
investments, and looks forward to continuing to build on these benefits for many years to come.”
With issuance of the Menankoto Exploitation Permit, mining pre-stripping activities and finalization of a
tolling agreement will commence. Fekola Regional is expected to ramp up operations through the end of
2027, and produce in excess of 150,000 ounces per year from 2028 through the mid-2030’s.
The Fekola Complex is a n important component of B2Gold’s operating portfolio, with a robust annual
production base and life of mine that extends well into the 2030’s. The Company will continue to identify
opportunities to maximize the value of the Fekola Complex for the benefit of B2Gold shareholders, the
State of Mali, and all stakeholders.
About B2Gold Corp.
B2Gold is a responsible international gold producer headquartered in Vancouver, Canada. Founded in 2007,
today, B2Gold has operating gold mines in Canada, Mali, Namibia and the Philippines, and numerous
development and exploration projects in various countries.
ON BEHALF OF B2GOLD CORP.
“Mike Cinnamond”
President & Chief Executive Officer
For more information on B2Gold, please visit the Company’s website at www.b2gold.com or contact:
Rebecca Henare Cherry DeGeer
VP, Investor Relations & Corporate Development Director, Corporate Communications
+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.
Production guidance presented in this news release reflect total production at the mines B2Gold operates
on a 100% project basis. Please see our most recent Annual Information Form for a discussion of our
ownership interest in the mines B2Gold operates.
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 legislation, including: projections; outlook; guidance; forecasts; estimates; and other statements
regarding future or estimated financial and operational performance, gold production and sales, revenues
and cash flows, and capital costs (sustaining and non-sustaining) and operating costs, including projected
cash operating costs and AISC, and budgets on a consolidated and mine by mine basis; future or estimated
mine life, metal price assumptions, ore grades or sources, gold recovery rates, stripping ratios, throughput,
ore processing; statements regarding anticipated exploration, drilling, development, construction,
permitting and other activities or achievements of B2Gold; and including, and without limitation: Fekola
Regional to contribute in excess of 150,000 ounces per year from 2028 onwards; and a mine life expected
to extend well into the 2030’s. 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, risks and uncertainties, certain of which are
beyond B2Gold's control, including risks associated with or related to: 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 materially from the est imates 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 regulations 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 integrate new acquisi tions; 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 Mali, Namibia, the Philippines, Canada, and Colombia and including risks
related to changes in foreign laws and changing policies related to mini ng 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 equipment, 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; the lack of sole decision-making authority related to
Filminera Resources Corporation, which owns the Masbate Project; 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 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 factors 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 related to B2Gold's
ability to carry on current and future operations, including: development and exploration activities; the
timing, extent, duration and economic viability of such operations, including any mineral res ources or
reserves identified thereby; the accuracy and reliability of estimates, projections, forecasts, studies and
assessments; B2Gold's ability to meet or achieve estimates, projections and forecasts; the availability and
cost of inputs; the price and market for outputs, including gold; foreign exchange rates; taxation levels;
the timely receipt of necessary approvals or permits; the ability to meet current and future obligations; the
ability to obtain timely financing on r easonable 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 r esults,
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.