Orezone Provides a COVID-19 Update
Orezone Gold Corporation
910-1111 Melville Street
Vancouver, BC, V6E 3V6
Tel: 778-945-8977
OREZONE PROVIDES A COVID-19 UPDATE
March 26, 2020 – Vancouver, BC - Orezone Gold Corporation (TSX.V: ORE) announces today that the Company
has taken additional precautionary measures in response to the global COVID-19 outbreak. There have been no
reported cases of COVID -19 amongst the Company’s employees or contractors in Burkina Faso or Canada .
However, ba sed on ongoing discussions with our staff, host communities , contractors and suppliers and in
conjunction with Burkina Faso government travel and work restrictions, Orezone has decided to temporarily
suspend all non-essential activities at its Bomboré Gold Project.
The main activity at Bomboré is Phase I of the Resettlement Action Plan (“RAP”) involving the construction of
several resettlement villages consisting of over 1,100 family dwellings and associated community infrastructure
and the relocation of over 300 families. Construction is currently 95 % complete . These activities are being
conducted alongside existing local villages involv ing a significant workforce which increases the risk of
community spread of COVID -19. Therefore , Orezone in consultation with the local communities, regional
representatives and contractors , has decided to defer all ongoing RAP construction and de -mobilize all
contractors. The Comp any is implementing a plan to safely secure equipment and material, and to prevent
unauthorized access to these resettlement villages during this suspension period. Occupancy at camp will also
be reduced to essential levels.
The completion of the RAP will affect the overall planned project development schedule. Therefore, the
Company is withdrawing its guidance of anticipated first gold in 2021 as the duration of the work suspension is
currently unknown. The Company is implementing plans for a rapid restart of project activities once Orezone and
relevant stakeholders agree that the final completion of village construction and subsequent relocat ion can be
completed safely.
Orezone remains well funded and will continue to manage its treasury responsibly during this period of reduced
activity.
Patrick Downey, President & CEO stated, “Although we are disappointed to temporarily halt RAP construction at
this late stage, the health and safety of our employees and local communities is paramount. We will continue to
provide updates as the ramifications of COVID -19 become better understood, and the safest and most
responsible path forward is clear”.
Orezone Gold Corporation
Orezone Gold Corporation ( TSX.V: ORE) is a Canadian development company which owns a 90% interest in
Bomboré, one of the largest undeveloped gold deposits in Burkina Faso. Bomboré hosts a large oxide resource
underlain by a larger, open sulphide resource, and will be developed in two stages.
Patrick Downey,
President and Chief Executive Officer
Vanessa Pickering
Manager, Investor Relations
Tel: 1 778 945 8977 / Toll Free: 1 888 673 0663
[email protected] /www.orezone.com
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For further information please contact Orezone at +1 (778) 945 -8977 or visit the Company’s website at
www.orezone.com.
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in pol icies of the TSX Venture
Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains certain information that may constitute “forward -looking information” under applicable
Canadian securities legislation. Forward -looking information in this press release relates to statements with respect to the
RAP, COVID-19, anticipated first gold and such statements about strategic plans, including future operations, future work
programs, capital expenditures , and corporate and technical objectives. Forward -looking information is necessarily based
upon a number of assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncerta inties,
and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied
by such forward -looking information, including the risks inherent to the recent COVID -19 pandemic, the mining industry,
adverse economic and market developments and the risks identified in Orezone’s annual information form under the
heading “Risk Factors”. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and
future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. Accordingly, readers should not place
undue reliance on forward -looking information. All forward -looking information contained in this press release is given as
of the date hereof and is based upon the opinions and estimates of management and information available to management
as at the date hereof. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward -looking
information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.