DE BEERS GROUP – LOCAL PROCUREMENT AT GAHCHO KUE MINE REMAINS STRONG, DRIVING GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES

Gahcho Kue mine joint venture partners, De Beers Group and Mountain Province Diamonds, are pleased to release the 2021 Socio-Economic and Stakeholder Accountability Report.

For the first time, the report is an expanded document, including both the requirements under the Socio-Economic Agreement (SEA) between Gahcho Kue mine and the Government of the Northwest Territories, as well as reporting on elements under the Social Way Framework, which was initiated by De Beers Group’s parent company Anglo American. The Social Way requires that a Stakeholder Accountability Report (SAR) also be issued publicly each year. Starting with this report, a combined SEA and SAR report is being presented.

We are proud of the progress we continue to make towards meeting our commitments, despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. The procurement from Northwest Territories (NWT) businesses continues to exceed targets, with 70% of goods and services purchased during 2021 coming from NWT businesses.

The mine provided 583 person years of employment during the year, of which 42% was held by residents of the NWT while local Indigenous community members made up 24% of the total workforce. Initial analysis indicates the decline in the NWT workforce from 2020 was primarily due to the health and safety challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic. The company is working to better understand this matter and remains focused on maximizing the NWT workforce at Gahcho Kue mine.

Additional highlights from 2021: 5.3 million working hours with no lost time injuries (LTI) from September 2018 to the end of 2021

6.23 million carats recovered

$672,000 in cash and in-kind support to local communities, bringing the total contributions to $3.8 million since the start of operations

Moses Madondo, Managing Director of De Beers Group Managed Operations, said: ‘Despite the challenges of the ongoing pandemic, we maintained our community commitments and completed the majority of our goals. We continue to work to meet our socio-economic commitments in order to enhance the mine’s contribution towards healthy NWT communities and a strong economy.’

Mark Wall, President and CEO of Mountain Province Diamonds, added: ‘As we look towards a promising future for Gahcho Kue mine, we also look forward to building upon the strong relationships we have developed and continue to grow with local communities. Together, we find ever-better ways to enrich local communities and to create value for all stakeholders as we deliver ethical, natural Canadian diamonds to the world.’

Contact:

Tel: +32 (3) 202 3311

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