Social Responsibility
Our social policies and standards formalize our commitments and performance requirements to ensure social risks are identified, mitigated, and managed. They are regularly updated based on changes in B2Gold’s activities, relevant regulations, and international best practice.
As a company that operates in areas where there is significant risk of human rights impacts related to the presence of extractive companies, we recognize our responsibility to identify our human rights risks and impacts and actively work to manage them. We respect human rights as defined in the International Bill of Human Rights. We align our practices with the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and we implement the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights at all of our sites.
“The communities in which we work are crucial to our success, consequently our decisions incorporate careful consideration of people’s health and safety, environmental protection and community well-being.”
Ken Jones, Director of Sustainability, B2Gold Corp.
2023 Performance Highlights
- Otjikoto established a social investment transition strategy to ensure a smooth handover of social projects during the mine closure phase
- Continued implementation of the FEMA Project in Fekola to improve conditions for women and children in ASM communities
- Established an internal ASM Management Committee at Fekola
- Expansion of livelihood projects for the Fekola Complex
- Finalization of the fourth iteration of the SDMP at Masbate; priorities include vocational and technical skills training and strengthening local business and employment
Human Rights
“B2Gold has a responsibility to extract responsibly and achieves this by implementing high social, environmental, and safety standards; respecting human rights and cultural heritage; and engaging openly and respectfully with our stakeholders.”
Ken Jones, Director of Sustainability, B2Gold Corp.
Our Social Responsibility and Human Rights Policy outlines our commitment to engage openly and respectfully with stakeholders, including vulnerable groups. We respect community rights, interests, and culture, and where Indigenous Peoples are identified we consult with stakeholders through the premise of Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC). We recognize human rights as defined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and we align our approach to human rights risk management with the UNGPs and the VPSHR.
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Community Investment
“Community investment is a fundamental aspect of our sustainability strategy at B2Gold. From vocational training in the Philippines and procurement opportunities in Mali to early childhood development programs in Namibia, our projects are tailored to address the specific needs of each jurisdiction.”
Clive Johnson, President & CEO, B2Gold Corp.
Our approach to community investment is based on an inclusive process where the Company, communities, government, and NGO partners work together to identify, select, and implement projects. By placing decision-making in the hands of local stakeholders, B2Gold aims to ensure community ownership, strengthen local capacity and improve alignment between government, community and B2Gold priorities, leading to prosperous and healthy communities.
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Stakeholder Engagement
“Partnerships with local stakeholders and organizations are a key part of our approach that enable us to support meaningful initiatives that promote social wellbeing and economic resilience.”
Clive Johnson, President & CEO, B2Gold Corp.
B2Gold engages openly and respectfully with stakeholders to better understand actual or perceived impacts of our activities, ensure stakeholder views are considered in our operational decision-making, and build constructive and responsive relationships. Effectively engaging with stakeholders is critical to business performance as it allows a company to proactively identify and address issues, thereby lowering operational and reputational risk. Engagement is equally important to contribute to positive social and economic development when stakeholders are involved in identifying, developing and implementing programs to address community needs.
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