B2Gold Reports Fatality at the Limon Mine in Nicaragua
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwire) -- 06/24/11 -- B2Gold Corp. (TSX: BTO)(OTCQX: BGLPF) ('B2Gold' or the 'Company') reports a fatality in the underground workings at the Limon Mine in Nicaragua due to heavy rains and mine flooding.
On June 18, 2011 at approximately 4:30pm the Limon Mine suffered a force majeure event when heavy rains caused a portion of the underground mine workings to begin flooding. The mine was evacuated, as the safety protocol was implemented, and 25 of the 26 workers were safely removed. Tragically, one miner, Victor Vilchez Martinez died, in spite of intense efforts made toward his rescue. He had remained unaccounted for since the initial flooding. Victor Vilchez Martinez (35) was from the community of Mina El Limon and is survived by his parents, siblings, wife and two children. On behalf of all B2Gold employees, the Company has extended its deepest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Mr Martinez.
The underground operations will remain suspended during the accident investigation and rehabilitation of the mine to ensure safe operations. B2Gold is committed to the safety of each of its employees and will continue to make safety the top priority at its operations.
The Limon mill will continue to process ore from the existing stockpile and production schedules will be adjusted to include other sources of open pit ore during the suspension of underground mining.
ON BEHALF OF B2GOLD CORP.
Clive T. Johnson, President and Chief Executive Officer
For more information on B2Gold please visit the Company web site at www.b2gold.com.
The securities described herein have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration requirements.
Some of the statements contained in this release are forward-looking statements, such as estimates and statements that describe the Company's future plans, objectives or goals, including words to the effect that the Company or management expects a stated condition or result to occur. Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions, by their very nature, they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results in each case could differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements.
The Toronto Stock Exchange neither approves nor disapproves the information contained in this News Release.
Contacts:
B2Gold Corp.
Ian MacLean
Vice President, Investor Relations
604-681-8371
B2Gold Corp.
Kerry Suffolk
Manager, Investor Relations
604-681-8371
www.b2gold.com