NR Notice of Philippines DENR (Department of Environment and Na
tural Resources) Audit Results
Vancouver, September 27, 2016
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B2Gold Corp. (TSX: BTO, NYSE MKT: BTG, NSX: B2G)
(“B2Gold” or the “Company”)
reports that it has been notified with regards to the following:
SHOW
-
CAUSE ORDER DUE TO DENR MINE AUDIT REPORT
Today in the Philippines through a press conference the Department of Environment and Natural
Resources (DENR) announced the results of the
nationwide audit of metallic mines. DENR
spokespersons informed us that the Masbate Gold Project (MGP) will be provided a Show
-
Cause Order
related to the operations of Filminera Resources Corporation (FRC) and Philippine Gold Processing and
Refining Corpo
ration (PGPRC) at the Masbate Gold Project.
Based on the reference to the three findings indicated in the brief received today and based on our
subsequent meeting with the Secretary of DENR, B2Gold is confident that these issues will be resolved
by workin
g with the government agencies, in the time frame provided. None of the findings involve any
environmental or social issues. They are related to administrative issues only.
Meanwhile operations continue uninterrupted and guidance remains unchanged.
The
company awaits formal notification from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) and details of
the Show
-
Cause Order.
The following will be the process:
1.
Show
-
Cause order will be delivered within two weeks.
2.
One week will be provided to address the issues.
3.
O
ne week will be taken to consider the company’s responses.
MGP is the largest single investment in the Province of Masbate and the largest producing gold mine in
the Philippines. Masbate Gold Project operations are ISO 14001 compliant so that our environ
mental
management systems demonstrably meet Philippine requirements. MGP continues to maintain an
outstanding Safety Performance record.
Further information will be made available as it is confirmed.