Gold market development organisation the World Gold Council (WGC) has added to its board members, with Aura Minerals, B2Gold, Sandstorm Gold Royalties and Shandong Zhaojin Group having joined.
WGC chairperson Randy Smallwood says each new member will bring a different area of expertise to the organisation. “I look forward to collaborating with them in 2021 and beyond. Working together, our industry can only become stronger.”
Aura Minerals is a fast growth gold and copper production company focused on the development and operation of gold and base metal projects in the Americas. It owns four operational projects and has four under study in its pipeline.
President and CEO Rodrigo Barbosa says he looks forward to collaborating with members to help Aura achieve its ambition to build a stronger, smarter and sustainable mining company and industry.
B2Gold is a low-cost international senior gold producer with three operating gold mines and numerous exploration and development projects in various countries including Mali, Colombia, Burkina Faso, Finland and Uzbekistan.
President, CEO and director Clive Johnson says joining the WGC is key to B2Gold’s corporate strategy, which is focused on generating “dramatic growth” in gold production and cash flow.
Sandstorm Gold Royalties was founded in 2008 and has become a major mining company with a portfolio of 201 royalties, of which 24 of the underlying mines are producing.
President, CEO and director Nolan Watson says Sandstorm already works with a number of the WGC’s members through its network of royalties around the world and looks forward to collaboration.
Zhaojin Group is located in Zhaoyuan City, Shandong province, China. The company was founded in 1974 and, since then, has formed a complete gold industrial chain covering gold exploration, mining, ore dressing, smelting, refining, gold and silver products processing and marketing.
“I am honoured to welcome Zhaojin Group to the WGC,” says Smallwood, adding that China is the world’s leading gold market as both the largest consumer and producer of gold.
“We are pleased to see the WGC expand to now include four Chinese member companies. It is important that we continue to grow our China Chapter, working with key players in the industry such as Zhaojin Group.”
WGC China Chapter chairperson Lu Jin says the Zhaojin Group’s long history and experience across the entire gold industry will make them a valuable addition to the WGC membership.
Zhaojin Group chairperson Weng Zhanbin says the group is excited to be part of the work that the WGC is leading in China as its market continues to grow. “I am looking forward to working with like-minded companies here in China, and the entire WGC membership.”