B2Gold Releases its Seventh Annual Responsible Mining Report and its Second Annual Climate Strategy Report
News Release
B2Gold Releases its Seventh Annual Responsible Mining Report and its Second Annual Climate
Strategy Report
Vancouver, BC, May 16, 2023 – B2Gold Corp. (TSX: BTO) (NYSE AMERICAN: BTG) (NSX: B2G)
(“B2Gold” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce that it has published its s eventh annual
Responsible Mining Report entitled “Raising the Bar” (the “Report”), which details B2Gold's global
economic contributions and its environmental, social, and governance management practices, together
with the Company's performance against key indicators in 2022.
B2Gold is also pleased to announce that it has published its second annual Climate Strategy Report.
The 2022 Climate Strategy Report is the Company’s second annual report in line with the
recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (“TCFD”). The Climate
Strategy Report presents stakeholders with an understanding of how B2Gold takes action to manage its
climate impacts and climate-related risks to the Company.
To view or download a copy of the Responsible Mining Report and Climate Strategy Report and all
other documents referred to in this press release, please visit www.b2gold.com/responsible-mining/esg-
reporting-portal/. All dollar figures are in United States dollars unless otherwise indicated.
In announcing the release of the reports, Clive Johnson, President & CEO of B2Gold, stated,
“At B2Gold, responsible mining is a fundamental aspect of our organizational culture and has been
since the formation of our Company over 15 years ago. We pride ourselves on being able to manage
accretive growth and development whilst remaining dedicated to upholding and integrating
our high sustainability standards. Our dynamic, and sometimes contrarian approach, takes discipline
– discipline to venture into new places, pursue challenging opportunities, and to find innovative
solutions to the obstacles of today. As we reflect on the 2022 year, I would like to commend our
global teams for the work they have done to enhance our social and environmental performance as we
continue to raise the bar on our own performance and set ambitious goals for our future. One of these
goals is responding to the challenges of the climate emergency through the implementation of our
Climate Strategy, and following this strategy with action. In 2023, we will be moving forward with
the expansion of the Fekola solar plant in Mali, with construction expected to begin in the third
quarter. The expansion is projected to increase solar power capacity by 22 megawatts, reduce GHG
emissions by approximately 24,000 tonnes per year and reduce heavy fuel oil consumption by an
average 7.6 million litres per year. B2Gold’s Climate Strategy will best position us and our
stakeholders to continue to thrive as society transitions to a low-carbon economy.”
Highlights from the 2022 “Raising the Bar” Responsible Mining Report
Economic Contribution
As a responsible gold miner, B2Gold aims to create and distribute economic value among its
stakeholders. The Company’s successful business results in 2022 are celebrated by its shareholders
along with the many stakeholders in the countries, r egions, and communities where it operates.
B2Gold’s economic performance is measured by the economic value that it generates for others,
including payments to governments through taxes and royalties, local hiring and procurement, and
investment in communities. In 2022, B2Gold:
• Achieved a seventh consecutive year of meeting or exceeding annual production guidance, with
a total gold production of 1,027,874 ounces1;
• Generated $1.73 billion in annual revenue;
• Paid $148 million in employee wages and benefits;
• Spent $8.6 million on community investment; and
• Paid $382 million to governments (through taxes and royalties).
B2Gold is committed to maximizing local and national economic benefits from its contracting and
purchasing. The Company is conscious of the high priority that host communities and governments
place on local procurement , which is why it gives preference to local businesses where possible,
provided they meet minimum safety, quality, ethical, and cost requirements, in sourcing the goods and
services necessary to run its operations. In 2022, over 62% of goods and services were procured from
local and host country businesses. Several 2022 success stories are outlined in the Report.
People
As a reputable corporate citizen, B2Gold generates local employment and opportunities for people to
develop their careers; train s employees to acquire new skills; and open s doors to women, under -
represented groups, and previously -disadvantaged people. The Company fosters positive and
productive engagement with employees and provide s safe workplaces, and believes that i nvesting in
people attracts and retains talented individuals and assists in their abilities to provide for themselves,
their families, and their futures.
At the end of 2022, B2Gold employed 4,995 people across all operations, which comprised 4,836 direct
employees and 159 supervised labour employees. The Company continues to maintain high local
employment rates by targeting recruitment efforts at regional and national levels. Across all operations,
97% of the total workforce was comprised of local employee s, and 65% of senior management at
operations was local.
B2Gold implemented a three-year Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (“EDI”) Strategy in 2020 through to
2022. As part of this work, an EDI Workplaces Policy and a Diversity Policy for Board and
management-level positions were implemented. The Diversity Policy establishe d targets for 30%
female representation on the Board and in management-level positions. In discussing the EDI Strategy,
Clive Johnson stated, “Improving equity and diversity outcomes are a major area of focus for B2Gold
as we move towards our goals of 30% female representation in Board and management-level positions.
We recently achieved one of these milestones with the appointment of Lisa Pankratz to our Board of
1 Includes 54,871 ounces of attributable production from Calibre Mining Corp.
Directors on January 1, 2023. Increasing the number of women in leade rship positions sends a strong
message throughout our organization that B2Gold values a diverse workforce.”
Health and Safety
As a result of B2Gold’s focus on injury prevention, the Company is once again pleased to report that it
has maintained a zero-fatality workplace (for the seventh consecutive year), and in 2022 further reduced
its injury frequency rates with a Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate of 0.05, and an Injury Severity Rate
of 1.79.
Despite a slight increase in the Total Recordable Injury Frequency Rate to 0.31 in 2022, up from 0.27
in 2021, B2Gold’s injury frequency rates remain amongst the lowest in the mining industry. While
B2Gold’s safety performance remains strong, the Company’s goal continues to be injury and illness
prevention and sending everyone ‘HOME-SAFE’.
Environment
In 2022, B2Gold developed a Sustainability Strategic Plan ( “Strategic Plan”), which identifies key
environmental and social aspects for improvement and defines specific objectives for its operations.
The Strategic Plan provides a road map for improved environmental and social risk management and
performance in line with the Company’s ESG priorities.
The Company’s water management commitment includes understanding the availability and uses of
water within the watersheds where it operates and develop s management methods that reduce or
mitigate its impacts on water quality and quantity. In early 2023, B2Gold began the implementation of
a Global Water Strategy, in line with the International Council on Mining and Metals’ water stewardship
framework, in o rder to reduce water -related risks throughout the business and to improve water
management performance.
B2Gold’s updated Climate Strategy Report contains a detailed description of the governance and
oversight of the climate strategy, summary of the physical and transition risk assessment and climate
scenario analysis, decarbonization pathway, and climate targets and metrics.
Communities
B2Gold maintains its social licence to operate by building trust-based relationships with stakeholders
and implementing community investment activities based on local ownership and development
priorities. Highlights of the 2022 community investment programs include:
• Fekola’s social investment activities have improved access to safe water and access to primary
health care through the construction of two health centres , livelihood opportunities through
women’s gardening and poultry/fish farming projects , and school admissions through the
construction of two schools. B2Gold, in partnership with Global Affairs Canada, is also
supporting the FEMA Project ( Femmes et Enfants des Communautés Minières Artisanales ),
which aims to improve conditions for women and children living in artisanal mining
communities within the Fekola Mine’s area of influence.
• At Masbate, community investment focuse d on education, access to health services and
facilities, enterprise development, livelihood development, and training. Masbate is partnering
with the Philippines Department of Information and Communications Technology on the
Digital Jobs Project. The project provides training to community members in various technical
courses su ch as virtual assistance, web development, search engine optimization, graphic
design, e-commerce, and online bookkeeping.
• Otjikoto supported early childhood development programs, primary and secondary schools,
vocational training, and small-scale enterprise development in 2022. The Company continued
its multi -year partnership with UNICEF to support UPSHIFT, a social innovation and
entrepreneurship program designed to build skills and create opportunities for young people.
Approach to Reporting
B2Gold is committed to the transparency of its sustainability risks, management, and performance. The
Report is aligned with the Global Reporting Initiative Standards and the Sustainability Accounting
Standards Board Standard. The Company firmly believes that the mining industry has an opportunity
to contribute positively to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and it has reported its
contribution in this regard since 2018.
Highlights from the 2022 Climate Strategy Report
2022 Highlights
• B2Gold committed to a greenhouse gas (“GHG”) emissions reduction target of a 30% reduction
in Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2030 against a 2021 baseline.
• Conducted climate scenario analysis workshops with each of our operations to identify relevant
threats and opportunities as posed by climate change and the low -carbon transition and
prioritize these risks according to the amount of impact they may have on the site, and the type
and amount of action required to address the risk.
• Reviewed risk management processes to ensure inclusion of climate-related risks in the site risk
management and Enterprise Risk Management processes.
• The Otjikoto operation commissioned its connection to the Namibian grid, which is estimated
to reduce annual power generation emissions by more than 30% due to renewable energy
sources within the Namibian grid.
• The total Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions (for the Fekola, Masbate and Otjikoto operations) and
emissions intensity both increased slightly from 2021. The Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions was
an estimated 739 thousand tonnes carbon dioxide equivalent ( “CO2e”) in 2022 (versus 722
thousand tonnes in 2021). The Company’s consolidated GHG emissions intensity was 0.76
tonnes CO2e per gold ounce produced in 2022 (versus 0.73 in 2021) due to expansion activities
in Mali.
• The proportion of electricity generated from renewable sources increased significantly to 14.3%
in 2022 from 9.5% in 2021, for consolidated operations.
Looking Forward – 2023 and Beyond
• In order to achieve the Company’s GHG emissions reduction target, B2Gold is pursuing various
initiatives to increase the proportion of renewable energy sources in its electricity supply, to
electrify operations, and to improve energy efficiency.
• The Company is moving forward with the expansion of the F ekola solar plant in Mali, with
construction expected to begin in the third quarter of 2023. The expansion is projected to
increase solar power capacity by 22 megawatts, reduce GHG emissions by approximately
24,000 tonnes per year, and reduce heavy fuel oil consumption by an average 7.6 million litres
per year.
• In 2023, all operations will develop site -specific Climate Action Plans, building on the
commitments of the global climate strategy and ensuring site ownership in the identification
and implementation of local climate actions.
About B2Gold
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 Canada, Mali, Fin land and
Uzbekistan. B2Gold forecasts total consolidated gold production of between 1,000,000 and 1,080,000
ounces in 2023.
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:
Michael McDonald 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 ba sis. Please see our Annual Information Form dated March 16, 2023 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 statement”) within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States
securities legislation, including: projections; outlook; guidance; forecasts; estimates; 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, and including, with out limitation: total
consolidated gold production of between 1,000,000 and 1,080,000 ounces in 2023; the Company reducing its
GHG by 30% by 2030 against a 2021 baseline; the Fekola solar plant expansion increasing solar power capacity
by 22 MWac, reducing GHG emissions by approximately 24,000 tonnes per year and reducing heavy fuel oil
consumption by an average 7.6 million liters per year; and construction of the Fekola solar plant expansion
project beginning in the third quarter of 2023 and completing in the third quarter of 2024. 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 general ly, 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, developme nt 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 climat e 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 avail ability 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 wi th foreign
laws, including those associated with operations in Mali, Namibia, the Philippines and Colombia and including
risks related to changes in foreign laws and changing policies related to mining and local ownership requirements
or resource nationali zation 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 Res ources 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; risks
affecting Calibre having an impact on the value of the Company's investment in Calibre, and potential dilution of
our equity interest in Calibre; 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: the timing, extent, duration and economic viability of such
operations, including any mineral resources or reserves identified thereby; the accuracy and reliability of
estimates, projections, forecasts, studi es 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 ap provals 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 w ill 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.