B2Gold: Mining Through Challenges in Mali

B2Gold, a prominent international senior gold producer, is navigating through challenges at its Fekola Mine in Mali. A seven-day strike, initiated by certain employees, began on November 29, 2024, raising concerns about the mine's operations and production. However, B2Gold has demonstrated resilience and commitment to maintaining its production guidance.

The strike, which is expected to end on December 5, 2024, is primarily a response to disciplinary actions taken by B2Gold against employees who engaged in illegal activities detrimental to productivity. These activities included "go slow" actions and an illegal sit-in at the Fekola management office in August 2024. Despite the labor action, B2Gold is continuing to operate the Fekola mill at full throughput capacity, aiming to be toward the lower end of its annual production guidance of 420,000 to 450,000 ounces of gold in 2024.

B2Gold is committed to maintaining strong working relationships with the Malian Government and the local workforce. The company is making progress on its respective deliverables and implementing the necessary steps under the Memorandum of Agreement signed in September 2024. This includes the issuance of necessary permits to commence exploitation at Fekola Regional, located 25 kilometers north of the Fekola Mine. Upon issuance of the exploitation permit, mining operations will begin, with initial gold production expected to commence in early 2025. This expansion is projected to generate approximately 80,000 to 100,000 ounces of additional gold production on an annualized basis.



B2Gold's commitment to integrity and transparency is evident in its approach to addressing employee grievances and maintaining open communication with the Fekola workers union. The company is dedicated to safe and sustainable mining practices, which bring significant benefits to the workforce, surrounding communities, and the State of Mali.

The seven-day strike duration and the legal provision for minimum service requirements in Mali mitigate potential impacts on B2Gold's production throughput. However, the company must remain vigilant in addressing employee concerns and fostering a constructive dialogue with the union to prevent future labor unrest. By doing so, B2Gold can ensure the long-term sustainability of its operations in Mali and maintain its status as a leading international senior gold producer.

In conclusion, B2Gold's resilience and commitment to safe and sustainable mining practices have allowed it to navigate through challenges at its Fekola Mine in Mali. Despite the strike, the company is on track to meet its production guidance and continues to make progress on its expansion projects. By addressing employee concerns and maintaining strong relationships with stakeholders, B2Gold is well-positioned to continue delivering strong results in the long term.