VANCOUVER, April 22, 2020 /CNW/ - B2Gold Corp.
(TSX: BTO, NYSE AMERICAN: BTG, NSX: B2G) ("B2Gold" or the
"Company") is pleased to announce that the Company is
providing financial support to community organizations in Metro
Vancouver, Canada, that are on the
frontlines in assisting people impacted by COVID-19. B2Gold has
also made critical financial contributions to assist communities
and governments in Mali,
the Philippines, Namibia and Colombia in addressing the risks related to
the outbreak of COVID-19.
Clive Johnson, President and CEO
of B2Gold stated, "As a Canadian company based in Vancouver, we believe it is essential to
support those in our community most vulnerable to the impacts of
the COVID-19 pandemic. We are pleased to be working with three
respected local organizations that provide food security, health
services and housing to at-risk members of the Metro Vancouver
community." Mr. Johnson continued by stating, "Internationally, we
are working closely with communities where we operate and local and
national governments in their efforts to respond to the COVID-19
crisis. B2Gold is helping to ensure food security and is providing
support for medical equipment and health services to local
communities around our mining operations."
In Metro Vancouver, B2Gold is contributing CDN$500,000 to support three local community
organizations in response to the COVID-19 outbreak:
- Supporting Access to Food – The demand for food
support in the local community has increased dramatically during
the pandemic. B2Gold is donating CDN$250,000 to the Greater Vancouver Food Bank,
which provides healthy food to those in need, including over 8,500
clients and approximately 80 Community Agency Partners across Metro
Vancouver.
- Housing, Health Care and Harm Reduction –
Vulnerable communities are at greater risk during the COVID-19
crisis. B2Gold is donating CDN$125,000 to PHS Community Services Society,
which provides housing, health care, harm reduction and health
promotion for some of the most vulnerable and under-served people
in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside
community.
- Support for At-Risk Youth and Homeless – Isolation
measures and safe practices are challenging with the homeless
population. B2Gold is donating CDN$125,000 to Covenant House Vancouver, which
provides food, shelter and medical care to Vancouver's homeless and at-risk street
youth.
Internationally, as announced on April 8,
2020, B2Gold made financial contributions to support local
communities and local and national authorities in the countries in
which it operates in response to the COVID-19 outbreak:
- In Mali, B2Gold has committed US$500,000 towards the government's COVID-19
response plan, which includes funds for much needed medical
supplies.
- In the Philippines,
B2Gold is working with the local communities around the mine site
and the local and regional governments to assist families with food
and basic medical requirements in line with the government's
COVID-19 response plan. A commitment of US$415,000 from the 2020 Social Development and
Management Program budget (subject to standard approvals) and
corporate social responsibility programs will be applied to these
efforts.
- In Namibia, B2Gold has
committed US$321,000 towards the
COVID-19 response efforts, with a focus on hygiene, sanitation and
food security within urban townships.
- In Colombia, where B2Gold is
the operator of the Gramalote development project, a joint venture
with AngloGold Ashanti Ltd., B2Gold has provided food and medical
assistance to vulnerable communities impacted by COVID-19 in the
project area.
B2Gold continues to work closely with local communities and
local and national authorities in the countries in which it
operates to implement enhanced and comprehensive COVID-19 response
measures. The Company is closely monitoring activities at each of
its sites, ensuring the safe operation of its mines, as well as the
safety of its personnel and those living in the surrounding
communities.
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 Mali, the Philippines and Namibia and numerous exploration and
development projects in various countries including Mali and Colombia. B2Gold continues to forecast
consolidated gold production of between 1,000,000 and 1,055,000
ounces in 2020.
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.
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; statements
regarding activities or achievements of B2Gold including, without
limitation: consolidated gold production of between 1,000,000 and
1,055,000 ounces in 2020. 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 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, 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; 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 outcome of the ongoing tax assessment by the
Colombian Tax Office (DIAN) in respect of the 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:
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; 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.