VANCOUVER, BC, July 22, 2020 /CNW/ - B2Gold Corp. (TSX: BTO)
(NYSE: BTG) (NSX: B2G) ("B2Gold" or the "Company") is pleased to
announce a contribution of $2 million
to assist the Namibian government's COVID-19 relief program. This
represents one of the largest private sector contributions to the
government's relief fund. All dollar figures are in United States dollars unless otherwise
indicated.
These funds will assist in the purchase of personal protection
equipment, food relief packages and hospital equipment (including
ventilators) to assist healthcare and frontline workers dealing
with the virus and its impact on local populations. B2Gold's
support will be channelled through Namibia's Disaster Relief Fund which was
established under the Emergency Management Unit of the Office of
the Prime Minister. The Unit is responsible for mobilizing
resources locally and internationally during a national emergency
such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
In making this announcement, Mr. Clive
Johnson, President and CEO of B2Gold, said: "B2Gold is proud
to assist the Namibian government in dealing with the impact of the
COVID-19 pandemic. Our contribution demonstrates B2Gold's sincere
commitment to improve the livelihoods of all Namibians."
B2Gold has made other important contributions this year towards
improving livelihoods in Namibia,
in line with B2Gold's overall corporate social responsibility
strategy. This includes:
- $1.7 million as part of B2Gold's annual
contribution that supports projects in the education,
livelihoods, health, environment and conservation, and arts and
cultural sectors.
- An initial COVID-19 response contribution of
$240,000 in April
2020 that supported both targeted government
interventions and the Development Workshop of Namibia, a non-governmental organization which
operates through the Namibian Chamber of Environment. This
contribution helps fund hygiene, sanitation and food security
projects in the informal residential areas of urban townships
throughout the country.
B2Gold operates the Otjikoto mine in Namibia and is the largest Canadian investor
and the largest gold producer in the country.
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 and Colombia. In 2020, B2Gold forecasts
consolidated gold production of between 1,000,000 and 1,055,000
ounces.
ON BEHALF OF B2GOLD CORP.
"Clive T.
Johnson"
President and 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, gold production and sales; and the impact
of the COVID-19 pandemic on B2Gold's operations; statements
regarding activities or achievements of B2Gold including, without
limitation: the potential payment of future dividends, including
the timing and amount of any such dividends, and the expectation
that quarterly dividends will be maintained at the same level;
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
duration and extent of the COVID-19 pandemic; 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: 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; 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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content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/b2gold-contributes-to-covid-19-relief-efforts-in-namibia-301098224.html
SOURCE B2Gold Corp.