B2Gold Releases its Fourth Annual Responsible Mining Report – Raising the Bar
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News Release
B2Gold Releases its Fourth Annual Responsible Mining Report – Raising the Bar
Vancouver, Ju ne 12, 20 20 – B2Gold Corp. (TSX: BTO) (NYSE AMERICAN: BTG) (NSX: B2G)
("B2Gold" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has published its fourth annual Responsible
Mining Report – Raising the Bar – which details B2Gold’s global economic contributions and its environment,
social, and governance management practices and the Company’s performance against key indicators in 2019.
Full details are outlined in the Report, available at www.b2gold.com.
In announcing the release of the 20 19 Responsible Mining Report, Clive Johnson, President & CEO of
B2Gold, said that “when I consider B2Gold’s role in sustainable development, I am pleased that the discourse
has shifted from ‘making mining sustainable’ to ‘mining’s role in sustainable development .’ Our Report
demonstrates how we address environmental, social and governance aspects with our many stakeholders. I
believe B2Gold takes a unique approach to delivering positive impacts – raising the bar on ESG performance.”
Highlights:
The report demonstrates B2Gold’s commitment to responsible mining and was compiled in accordance with
the Global Reporting Initiative Standards, Core option and the G4 Mining and Metals Sector Disclosures.
B2Gold’s performance is also mapped to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Economic Value Distribution
In 2019:
• B2Gold generated over $1.3 billion in economic value;
• Distributed $140 million in employee wages and benefits, $116 million of which was distributed in
countries where we operate;
• Paid approximately $191 million in taxes and royalties to governments; and
• Invested over $14 million to programs and initiatives that provide direct support to the people and
communities that we rely on to operate our business.
B2Gold is committed to maximizing local and national eco nomic benefits from our contracting and
purchasing worldwide. We work to build and expand local supply chains to nurture the growth of and benefit
local suppliers including small and medium enterprises from the presence of our operations. In 2019, we
purchased approximately 60% of our goods and services from in -country suppliers in Mali. In Namibia, we
purchased 86% locally and 61% locally in the Philippines.
People
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Globally, B2Gold has a remarkably diverse workforce, employing people fr om many countries and corners
of the world. The Company continues to maintain a high local employment rate by targeting recruitment
efforts at local and national levels. Across all operations, 95% of our total workforce are local employees and
we continue to train and develop our local workforce into senior roles. Our company goal, where possible, is
to maximize the hiring of nationals in the countries where we operate in order to optimize local benefits, share
knowledge and build capacity.
B2Gold is deeply committed to gender diversity in our workplace. Following an internal assessment (in 2017)
and senior management sensitization workshop (in 2018), we initiated a gender diversity strategy in 2019,
including the creation of our Diversity and Inclusion Pol icy. This strategy was deployed to further increase
awareness and support diversity and inclusion throughout the employment lifecycle. Currently the Company
has 12% female employees with 20% female representation in senior positions.
In 2020, t he focus of the Company’s Gender Diversity and Inclusion work will be to address short and
medium-term actions including diversity and unconscious bias training, establishment of Gender Diversity
working groups and a thorough review of related policies and grievance/reporting mechanisms.
Health and Safety
2019 was B2Gold’s fourth consecutive year without a fatality – every one of our 4,217 employees went home
to their family every single day – the ultimate goal of safe production and zero harm . Unfortunately, we did
not reach our target of reducing both Lost Time Injury and Total Recordable Injury (TRI) frequency rates
across all operations for a fourth consecutive year. However, we did achieve a Lost Time Injury-free year at
our Otjikoto and Masbate Mines (located in Namibia and the Philippines, respectively), and recorded only 3
Lost Time Injuries at our Fekola Mine (located in Mali). Despite failing to meet these two targets in 2019, our
injury record is among the industry leaders and we will continue to improve our performance in 2020 towards
our goal of zero harm.
We also strengthened our Visible Felt Leadership programs, consisting of interactive safety meetings,
individual and crew behaviour -based task observations, and risk assessment r eviews and audits. These
programs, in which all supervisors, managers, department heads, and Executives are required to participate,
strengthen our safety culture of ownership, participation and positive reinforcement.
Environment
We continued to update our internal tailings management practices to align with changing industry best
practices. In 2019, we made additional governance improvements including updating our criteria for
embankment annual inspections and independent third -party reviews. B2Gold is committed to continue to
actively review and incorporate additional best practices into our tailings facilities’ management.
We developed a comprehensive Environmental Strategic Plan for 2020 to 2023, providing a road map for
improved environmental risk management and performance in line with overall B2Gold company strategy. A
key component of this Strategic Plan is our Climate Change Risk Management Strategy, which consists of
three pillars: Assessing and reducing our carbon footprint, Incorporating climate change risks into business
planning/design, and external reporting and accountability of our contribution to climate change action.
In addressing climate change, B2Gold is proud to be an industry leader in the implementation of renewable
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energy solutions at our operations. The electricity generated by our Otjikoto Mine (located in Namibia) solar
power plant has eliminated over approximately 16,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) emissions
(through the end of 2019). Construction is under way at our Fekola Mine (located in Mali) of a 30 MW solar
plant. The resulting fully -autonomous hybrid (Heavy Fuel Oil and solar) power plan t will be among the
largest off -grid facilit ies of this type in the world and will reduce the operation’s annual Heavy Fuel Oil
consumption by approximately 13.1 million litres and keep approximately 39,000 tonnes of CO2e from being
released per year.
COVID-19 Response Statement (as of 27 May, 2020)
A compelling test of a Company’s commitment to responsible mining is evident when a crisis emerges. The
COVID-19 pandemic, which has impacted all facets of life in all corners of the world, has given our
stakeholders a unique perspective into the heart of B2Gold and provides an opportunity to shine a light on our
Company values. B2Gold has responded with excellence in all aspects of our operations.
Our response to the COVID-19 pandemic stems from extensive consultation with the government authorities
where we work, employee participation in the decision process, and ongoing consultation and education in
the communities where we operate. Through the first six months of 2020, the Company’s commitments to
excellence include:
• Job Security: ensuring that all employees receive salaries and benefits while adhering to stay at
home orders issued by the governments in each jurisdiction;
• Health and Hygiene: implementing extensive health and safety protocols at all operations to
maximize hygienic conditions and social distancing on sites;
• Staying Safe: maintaining an industry leading safety program at sites to ensure that our health and
safety performance remains among the best in the industry;
• Environmental Care: ensuring that all environmental and permit requirements have been
maintained; and
• Community Resilience: providing additional financial support to address social impacts in the
communities where we live and work.
In the midst of the global pandemic, B2Gold reported record operational and financial results during the first
quarter of 2020. These results were achieved without sacrificing our values and responsible mining principles.
We anticipate continuing this performance for the remainder of 2020, noting t hat forward -looking dates
referred to in this Report are subject to change due to potential impacts of COVID-19.
To view or download a copy of the report , please visit www.b2gold.com/responsible-mining/esg-reporting-
portal/.
About B2Gold Corp.
B2Gold is a low -cost international senior gold producer headquartered in Vancouver, Canada. Founded i n
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.
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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 informat ion” 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 rega rding future or estimated
financial and operational performance, gold production and sales ; and the impact of the COVID -19 pandemic on
B2Gold’s operations ; statements regarding activities or achievements of B2Gold including, without limitation: the
potential payment of future dividends, including the timing and amount of any such dividends, and the expectation that
quarterly dividends will be maintained at the same level; consolidated gold production of between 1,000,000 and
1,055,000 ounces in 2020. All sta tements 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, identifie d 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 uncertainti es, 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
volatility of metal prices and B2Gold’s common shares; changes in tax laws; the dangers inherent in explo ration,
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 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 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 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 equipment, supplies and labour; regulatory, polit ical
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;
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failures of information systems or information security threats; the outcome of the ongoing tax assessment by the
Colombian Tax Office (DIAN) in respect of th e 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 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 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 t iming, extent, duration 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, projections 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.