VANCOUVER, BC , December 23, 2020 /CNW/ - B2Gold Corp. (TSX: BTO) (NYSE AMERICAN: BTG) (NSX: B2G) ("B2Gold" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that the Company is providing further financial support to community organizations in Metro Vancouver, Canada , which are on the frontlines in assisting local communities impacted by the increasing spread of COVID-19. Through its Canadian CSR Fund, this year, B2Gold has donated a total of CDN$1,000,000 to organizations that are supporting some of Metro Vancouver's most vulnerable during the pandemic.
B2Gold is allocating a further CDN$500,000 to provide financial support to four community organizations in Metro Vancouver in their continued response plan to address the social impacts, issues and risks posed by the increasing spread of COVID-19:
- CDN$125,000 is being donated to Covenant House Vancouver to help support at-risk youth:
The recommended COVID-19 safe social distancing practices and isolation measures are challenging for the homeless population. Covenant House provides food, shelter and medical care to Vancouver's homeless and at-risk street youth – many of whom have fled emotional and physical abuse or have been forced from their homes;
- CDN$125,000 is being donated to the Greater Vancouver Food Bank to help meet the increasing demand for food:
Since the onset of COVID-19 and the rising unemployment rate and consequent loss of income, the demand for food support in the local community has increased dramatically – and continues to rise. The GVFB provides healthy food to those in need, including over 8,500 clients and approximately 80 Community Agency Partners across Metro Vancouver;
- CDN$125,000 is being donated to PHS Community Services Society and CDN$125,000 is being donated to The Bloom Group Community Services Society to assist with housing, health care and harm reduction efforts:
Vulnerable communities in Metro Vancouver, such as Vancouver's Downtown Eastside, have long struggled with issues of homelessness, poverty, mental health and substance dependencies. COVID-19 has escalated these issues, as evident by the spike in community overdoses since the pandemic began and associated community safety concerns. PHS and The Bloom Group provide housing solutions, health care, harm reduction and health promotion for some of the most at-risk, under-served and often overlooked residents in the community.
This recent donation matches B2Gold's initial CDN$500,000 donation in April 2020 to Covenant House Vancouver (CDN$125,000) , the Greater Vancouver Food Bank (CDN$250,000) and PHS Community Services Society (CDN$125,000) in assisting them in their initial response plan to help those most impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak in Metro Vancouver.
"Once again, we are amazed by B2Gold's generosity. This donation will cover significant expenses for several months and will keep the food bank running as we distribute close to 675,000 pounds of nutritious food each month for our clients and partners," said Cynthia Boulter , Chief Operating Officer at the Greater Vancouver Food Bank. "We have seen a steady flow of new clients since March, and B2Gold's donation earlier on this year has helped us distribute over half a million pounds of healthy food and thousands of pre-packed groceries each month during the pandemic, allowing us to feed over 20,000 people monthly in the communities that we serve, including in the critical areas where we needed to expand."
"We are pleased to be working with valuable local community organizations that provide the much-needed social programs for food security, health services, shelter and housing to Metro Vancouver's most vulnerable," said Liane Kelly , a director and advisor of B2Gold's Canadian CSR Fund Committee. "This year, COVID-19 has presented many local businesses, families and individuals in our communities with unexpected challenges. As we move into 2021, it is crucial that we continue to assist those who are on the frontlines in helping those most in need and at risk from the continued threat of COVID-19. We are delighted to know that our CDN$1,000,000 contribution this year will help to make a difference."
B2Gold's principles of fairness, respect, transparency and accountability form the basis of the Company's corporate culture and are applied to each of its corporate social responsibility ("CSR") projects around the world. The Company is also committed to supporting CSR projects in Canada and, in 2019, established its Canadian CSR Fund with the aim of focusing specifically on Metro Vancouver and addressing key social issues relating to health, children and people at risk.
"Not only are we committed to investing in CSR projects at a local level in the countries where we operate, but we want to make a difference at home, too. We take a unique approach with our global CSR initiatives and often invest in projects that are not just related to mining but focus on improving the quality of life of the local communities," concluded Clive Johnson , President & CEO of B2Gold.
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 Mali, Colombia, Burkina Faso , Finland and Uzbekistan . In 2020, the Company continues to forecast total consolidated gold production of between 1,000,000 and 1,055,000 ounces with all-in sustaining costs of between $780 - $820 per ounce ( see "Non-IFRS Measures" below ).
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:
The Toronto Stock Exchange and NYSE American LLC neither approve nor disapprove the information contained in this news release.
Production 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 20, 2020 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, including projected cash operating costs and AISC, and budgets on a consolidated and mine by mine basis; the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on B2Gold's operations, including any restrictions or suspensions with respect to our operations and the effect of any such restrictions or suspensions on our financial and operational results; the ability of the Company to successfully maintain our operations if they are temporarily suspended, and to restart or ramp-up these operations efficiently and economically, the impact of COVID-19 on the Company's workforce, suppliers and other essential resources and what effect those impacts, if they occur, would have on our business, our planned capital and exploration expenditures; future or estimated mine life, metal price assumptions, ore grades or sources, gold recovery rates, stripping ratios, throughput, ore processing; statements regarding anticipated exploration, drilling, development, construction, permitting and other activities or achievements of B2Gold; and including, without limitation: projected total consolidated gold production of between 1,000,000 and 1,055,000 ounces in 2020 with AISC of between $780 and $820 per ounce. 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 Philippines, Colombia and Burkina Faso 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.
Non-IFRS Measures
This news release includes certain terms or performance measures commonly used in the mining industry that are not defined under International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS"), including "all-in sustaining costs" (or "AISC"). Non-IFRS measures do not have any standardized meaning prescribed under IFRS, and therefore they may not be comparable to similar measures employed by other companies. The data presented is intended to provide additional information and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS and should be read in conjunction with B2Gold's consolidated financial statements. Readers should refer to B2Gold's Management Discussion and Analysis, available on the Websites, under the heading "Non-IFRS Measures" for a more detailed discussion of how B2Gold calculates certain of such measures and a reconciliation of certain measures to IFRS terms.
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SOURCE B2Gold Corp.
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