engagement with our local communities and host governments has enabled us to create shared sustainable value for all our stakeholders . We are committed to strengthening these relationships in the coming years as we endeavour to generate socio-economic value for our people , communities and host countries .”
In CY20 , Perseus has enhanced its disclosure on sustainability-related risks and opportunities by aligning with the key reporting frameworks used by our stakeholders . These include the World Gold Council Responsible Gold Mining Principles , Global Reporting Initiative ( GRI ), Sustainability Accounting Standards Board ( SASB ) and the Task Force on Climate Related Financial Disclosures ( TCFD ).
Highlights of the report include :
Economic and Social Contribution
• Total economic contribution of US $ 385M in CY20 to Ghana and Côte d ’ Ivoire
• Increased community investment by 71 % ( from CY19 ) to around US $ 1.9M in CY20 , funding critical health and education infrastructure projects for local communities and providing COVID-19 support
• Creation of new health clinics near Sissingué to improve health outcomes for the ~ 27,000 residents of the local communities
• Increased in-country employment , with over 96 % of total employees from host countries
• Local procurement spend of $ 287M , an increase from 66 % in CY19 to
78 % in CY20
• Held 587 consultations with local communities
• Paid > US $ 69M in taxes , royalties , and duties to Government
Health & Safety performance :
• Maintained record of zero workplace fatalities and reduced injuries
• Implementation of comprehensive measures and protocols to prevent introduction and spread of COVID-19 and maintain business continuity
Environmental stewardship :
• Re-use of 12,495,163 KL of water
• Water intensity of 7.46M3 / oz gold produced , benchmarked ahead of peers
• Enhanced tailings disclosures in line with the Investor Mining and Tailings Safety Initiative , and completed independent audits of all our Tailings
Storage Facilities ( TSFs )
Governance
• Worked with independent sustainability risk experts , KPMG , to refresh sustainability materiality analysis and conduct deeper analysis of sustainability risks and opportunities , and start development of a 3-year sustainability roadmap
• Announced appointment of a new Director by the end of FY21 to enhance sustainability skills of the Board
• Release of the first Modern Slavery Statement to address potential human rights risks in Perseus ’ global supply chain .
Future ambitions
• Establish a 3-year sustainability roadmap , and enhance social value and sustainability risk management through updates to the Risk Management Framework and policy standards
• Establish the Yaouré Community Development Fund in FY21
• During FY21 and FY22 , Perseus will complete and commence implementation of our biodiversity plan at Yaouré in Côte d ’ Ivoire mine site in and establish our site nursery , to be staffed by local community members
• Explore strategic opportunities for community partnerships in Côte d ’ Ivoire and Ghana
• Achieve full alignment with the World Gold Council Responsible Gold Mining Principles by FY23
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Perseus Mining Ltd .
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