Hummingbird Resources plc said it had completed its GAP analysis as part of a series of programmes for its environment, social and governance (ESGs) practices near its Yanfolila gold mine in Mali, West Africa.
SOCIAL
World Gold Council Responsible Gold Mining Principles (RGMPs): Hummingbird’s GAP analysis was completed towards the end of Q2 2021.
This is being evaluated internally and with external ESG consultants to prioritise and address areas with gaps in the company’s policies and procedures.
Sanioumale East resettlement: progress continued during the period with workshops and technical services and risk assessments are taking place.
COVID-19
The company said its continuing strict on-site testing, quarantine procedures and overall hygiene protocols performed well in mitigating the spread of the virus during H1 2021.
During Q2 2021, limited cases were reported as on-site employee vaccinations began.
ENVIRONMENT
Hummingbird tree initiative: the company’s locally supported village nursery programmes continued to progress during H1 2021.
More than 10,000 trees are ready to be used in the coming months for the company’s annual 20-hectare rehabilitation programme.
Market gardens: Hummingbird completed key infrastructure for its local market garden programme, a market centre for trading fruit, vegetables and poultry from locally supported village market gardens completed in Q2 2021.
The markets provide employment for more than 800 people, mainly women, from local communities.
Water infrastructure improvements were also carried out during H1 2021.
Single Mine Origin (SMO): Hummingbird is a founder of SMO which is an industry-wide initiative of traceable gold to responsibly operated mines.
The company said that a number of other gold mines became SMO members and it also increased marketing of SMO brand awareness.
Several new leading jewellery brands signed up to use only SMO gold in their products, with future business plans and new revenue streams developed.