VANCOUVER, BC,
April 5, 2022
/PRNewswire/ - B2Gold Corp. (TSX: BTO) (NYSE AMERICAN: BTG) (NSX:
B2G) ("B2Gold" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has
published the Company's inaugural Climate Strategy Report (the
"Report") and its Water Risk Statement (the "Statement"), both of
which are available to view or download on B2Gold's website
at www.b2gold.com.
B2Gold recognizes that climate change is a critical global
challenge and understands that it must act accordingly. B2Gold is
fully dedicated to providing its stakeholders with the necessary
information to make informed decisions regarding its climate risks
and opportunities, and the Company's management and performance
relating to these risks. Accordingly, the Company has completed
this Report describing its progress against implementation of the
recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial
Disclosures.
In addition, B2Gold acknowledges that access to clean and
reliable water supplies is fundamental to the success of its
operations and the wellbeing of its stakeholders, and the Company
recognizes the need to use water efficiently, protect water
resources, and collaborate with stakeholders to effectively manage
this shared resource. The Statement outlines the Company's approach
to identifying and managing the water risks at each of its
operations.
Climate Strategy Report Highlights
- The Report outlines B2Gold's climate risk management strategy,
governance, risk management approach and prioritized risks, and
performance data.
- B2Gold's updated Climate Strategy includes assessing and
mitigating our physical and transitional climate-related risks,
assessing and reducing our carbon footprint, setting emissions
reduction targets, and keeping our stakeholders informed of our
performance. B2Gold has developed a set of actions to achieve this
Climate Strategy.
- B2Gold developed climate scenarios in 2021, utilizing the
Network for Greening the Financial System scenario outputs,
including both physical- and transition-related variables, and
exploring 2030 and 2050 timescales. In 2022, the Company will take
the outputs from the scenario analysis and further evaluate the
potential financial and other material implications for
B2Gold.
- Other significant milestones in 2021 include:
-
- B2Gold formed a corporate Climate Risk Management Committee to
update and execute its Climate Strategy;
- Each of B2Gold's operations appointed Climate Champions to
communicate and lead the implementation of operations-related
requirements of its Climate Strategy;
- The Fekola Mine solar plant reached full production capacity in
July 2021, and generated 47.2 GWh or
electricity, reducing heavy fuel oil (HFO) consumption by 10
million litres and eliminating 31,500 tonnes of carbon dioxide
equivalent emissions; and
- B2Gold increased substantially the proportion of its total
electricity consumption from renewable sources, from 2.2% in 2020
to 9.4% in 2021.
Full details are outlined in the Report, which is available to
view or download at www.b2gold.com.
Water Risk Statement Highlights:
- B2Gold is implementing its water management approach over three
phases: (1) completion of a formal Water Risk Assessment; (2)
development of a Global Water Strategy, based on the results of the
Water Risk Assessment; and, (3) development and implementation of
site-specific Water Action Plans to understand and mitigate key
water risks.
- The Statement presents the results of a formal Water Risk
Assessment of B2Gold's operations conducted in 2021. The Water Risk
Assessment is aligned with International Council on Mining and
Metal's Water Stewardship Framework, which is based on a watershed
approach to water management.
- In 2022, as the Company formalizes its updated Global Water
Strategy, it will develop and implement treatment actions for its
identified water risks through site-specific water strategies.
Full details are outlined in the Statement, which is available
to view or download at www.b2gold.com.
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, Colombia, Finland and Uzbekistan. B2Gold forecasts total
consolidated gold production of between 990,000 and 1,050,000
ounces in 2022.
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
|
imaclean@b2gold.com
|
kbromley@b2gold.com
|
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 Annual Information Form dated March 30, 2021 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, and including, without
limitation: total consolidated gold production of between 990,000
and 1,050,000 ounces in 2022. 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
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;
escalation of travel restrictions on people or products and
reductions in the ability of the Company to transport and refine
doré; 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 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 Mali, Namibia, the Philippine and Colombia and including risks related to
changes in foreign laws and changing policies related to mining and
local ownership requirements or resource nationalization generally,
including in response to the COVID-19 outbreak; 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; 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
duration and effects of COVID-19 on our operations and
workforce; development and exploration activities; 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,
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 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.
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SOURCE B2Gold Corp.