Nordgold’s Subsidiary in Guinea Signs Partnership Agreement with UNICEF and Local Communities
Amsterdam, Netherlands, August 18, 2014 - Nord Gold N.V. (“Nordgold” or the “Company”, LSE: NORD), the internationally diversified, pure-play gold producer strategically focused on emerging markets, is pleased to announce that its subsidiary Société Minière de Dinguiraye (SMD), which operates Lefa gold mine in the Republic of Guinea, has signed a Partnership Agreement (“The Agreement”) with UNICEF and local authorities and communities of Siguiri (Kankan region) and Dinguiraye (Faranah region) within the Lefa operational area for two years – 2014 and 2015.
The Agreement was signed in Conakry by Dr. Martin White, General Manager of SMD and Mr. Ahsane Barry Mayor of Banora Rural Municipality, Mr. Ibrahima Sory Fadiga, Mayor of Siguirini Rural Municipality and Dr. Mohamed Ag Ayoya, UNICEF Representative in Guinea and Dr. Alhassane Conde, Minister of Territorial Administration and Decentralisation in the presence of Dr. Yamory Conde, the Secretary General of the Ministry of Administration and Decentralisation.
This is the first partnership in Guinea between the world’s leading organisation for children UNICEF, major gold mining company and local community, whose aim is to improve the living conditions of children from the Siguiri and Dinguiraye communities; to tackle poverty and drive the improvement of basic social services.
As part of this Agreement, the partners will be mainly focused on building healthcare infrastructure, the distribution of health kits, supporting HIV and malnutrition treatment among vulnerable groups (especially children) as well as providing access to clean water and the support of basic education for children and the protection of children through the promotion of birth registration. Similarly, support will be provided to the local governance development of Dinguiraye and Siguiri through the training of municipality representatives in the performance of basic social services.
The Republic of Guinea currently faces a number of economic and social challenges. The Development Aid Program runs a continuous deficit which has a profound impact on economic and social welfare. The population’s access to Basic Social Services, mainly healthcare, education, water, etc., is a tremendous challenge to undertake and improve upon.
In fact, the economic and social difficulties are growing nationwide and more particularly among people in rural areas and those living in their proximities. On the whole, poverty has increased over the past six years from 53% in 2007 to 55.2% in 2012 according to LSPA(1) surveys of the National Statistics Institute corroborated by 2012EDS-MICS.
“The challenges faced by the people in Guinea require a synergy of action, by strengthening the capacities of those involved in the field, coordinating programs with effective monitoring via a dynamic partnerships and the mobilization of resources, with a collective effort of stakeholders at all levels. We are glad that Lefa mine has taken this unprecedented step to strengthen its support towards local community.” DR. MOHAMED AG AYOYAUNICEF REPRESENTATIVE IN GUINEA
“We strongly believe that this partnership is an important avenue for us to get better understanding of the needs of local people. The considerable efforts of all three parties must improve living conditions of people in the regions and make an impact for the development of local communities.” DR. MARTIN WHITEGENERAL MANAGER OF SMD