True Gold Ranks No. 2 on CSR Index of 100 Largest Junior Mining Companies
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VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - Mar 3, 2014) - True Gold Mining Inc. (TSX VENTURE:TGM) ("True Gold" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that the Company has been named a leader in corporate social responsibility ("CSR") among 100 of the largest junior exploration, development and production companies.
The 2nd Annual Social Responsibility Index (the "SR Index"), developed by MacCormick International Mining Consultancy ("MacCormick IMC")1, analyzes the top 100 mining companies based on TSX-Venture Exchange market capitalization against criteria in 10 CSR categories.
True Gold - which is developing its Karma Gold Project (the "Karma Project") in Burkina Faso, West Africa - ranked No. 2 overall and topped all exploration companies on the SR Index. The Company received top-level honours in local capacity development, consultation, local employment, monitoring and evaluation, and code of conduct.
"True Gold has developed and put in place CSR programs that meet or exceed standards set by international financial and labour organizations, and it is one of the only companies surveyed to outline specific commitments for monitoring CSR performance and reporting outcomes," said Bonnie Lyn de Bartok, founder and CEO, MacCormick IMC. "Our analysis reveals that companies with strong social performance also performed significantly better financially."
SR Index researchers called True Gold's Resettlement Action Plan, developed to relocate communities from the proposed Karma Project leach pad area, a highlight of the Company's CSR efforts. The plan was endorsed by the Community Liaison Committee, engaged the local community through consultation, and provided guidance on community enhancement programs including increased water access and reforestation.
"Developing strong, lasting relationships with our host communities in Burkina Faso is an essential part of our core business," said Dwayne Melrose, President and CEO, True Gold. "As the Karma Project continues to advance, we are committed to maintaining strong relationships with residents based on the values of inclusion, partnership, respect, transparency and trust."
True Gold's recognition on the SR Index follows an independent, third-party review of the Company's environmental and social management policies and practices by EBS Consulting of South Africa. The review, completed in January 2014, found that the Karma Project complies in all aspects with the Equator Principles, a framework used by major financial institutions to ensure potential investments meet international standards for environmental and social management.
1True Gold has engaged MacCormick IMC to work with True Gold and its in-house CSR team to develop and implement CSR programs at the Karma Project.
For more information on True Gold's CSR efforts, please download our CSR presentation at http://www.truegoldmining.com/our-projects/karma-project#field-project-tab-tab-6. The Index report, announced March 1, 2014 is available at the MacCormick IMC website for download.
About True Gold
True Gold Mining Inc. is where gold comes to life. We are committed to growing a successful gold exploration, development and production company, by focusing on projects with low costs, low technical risks and solid economics. The Company's board, management and technical teams have proven track records in gold exploration, development, operations and production worldwide.
Additional information about the Company and its activities may be found on the Company's website at www.truegoldmining.com and under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD
Dwayne Melrose, President & CEO
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Certain statements made and information contained in this news release and elsewhere constitutes "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. Such forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions and are subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, with respect to statements regarding the potential to growing a successful gold exploration, development and production company, ability to find projects with low costs, low technical risks and solid economics, expectations that CSR programs and local community engagement will reduce project risk, continued excellent community relations that will bear clear benefits for local residents and the Company, including improved project design, reduced costs, water for community use and reduced social impacts, continued local community support for the development of the Karma Project, the possibility that the key personnel in the Karma Project CSR leadership team may not perform as anticipated or remain with the Company, accidents, and risks and uncertainties relating to equipment breakdowns, risk of undiscovered, title defects and surface access, labour disputes, the potential for delays in exploration and permitting activities, the potential for unexpected costs and expenses, commodity price fluctuations, currency fluctuations, political risk and other risks and uncertainties, including those described under Risk Factors in each management discussion and analysis and in the Company's annual information form which are available under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com. Forward-looking information is based on various assumptions including, without limitation, the expectations and beliefs of management, the assumed long term price of gold, that the Company will receive required permits and access to surface rights, that the Company can access required financing to be in a position to consider a production decision, appropriate and sufficient equipment and labour will be available and accessible to the Company to meet its development goals, retention of key personnel and that the political environment within Burkina Faso will continue to support the development of environmentally safe mining projects. Should one or more of these risks and uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in forward-looking statements. Accordingly, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement that may be made from time to time by the Company or on its behalf, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.
Contact
True Gold Mining Inc.
Vancouver Office:
Tel: 604-801-5020
info@truegoldmining.com
True Gold Mining Inc.
Investor inquiries:
Alex Holmes
Tel: 604-697-4958
aholmes@truegoldmining.com
True Gold Mining Inc.
Media inquiries:
Ian Noble
Tel: 604-809-8750
inoble@truegoldmining.com
www.truegoldmining.com