N$25m boost for rhino conservation
B2Gold last week donated gold worth N$25 million to rhino conservation.
History was made last Thursday night in Windhoek when 1 000 ounces of gold was donated to protect Namibia's iconic black rhino.
A celebratory launch event was held at Droombos just outside Windhoek at which deputy environment minister Bernadette Jagger officiated. B2Gold will produce 1 000 limited-edition Rhino Gold Bars that will be available for sale to investors. According to a statement issued by B2Gold, on the reverse side of the gold bar a black rhino mother and calf are depicted, which symbolises hope for the future of the species.
On the front of the bar the Namib Desert is depicted - an evocative and recognisable image strongly associated with Namibia. The bars will be sold at the spot price of gold on the date of sale plus a 15% conservation premium. Bars will be available in 500g (10), one ounce (690) and half-ounce (300) denominations.
The 500g bars represent the 10 years that rhinos will still survive in the wild if poaching continues at the current rate. Mark Dawe, managing director and country manager for B2Gold Namibia who is also a keen conservationist, said the proceeds from the sale of the Rhino Gold Bars will be managed by B2Gold and an advisory committee.
The committee will include representatives from Save the Rhino Trust Namibia, Integrated Rural Development and Nature Conservation, the Namibia Chamber of Environment and the environment ministry.
A portion of the proceeds will be invested to provide long-term sustainable financing for black rhino conservation.
Significant funding will be also be applied immediately to conservation actions in the field, including support for patrols, intelligence activities and to rural communities for which the protection of rhinos is a birthright.
Jagger applauded B2Gold's efforts and thanked the company for its generous efforts to support rhino conservation and the rhino-based economy. President and CEO of B2Gold, Clive Johnson, said the company is redefining conservation financing. “The donation represents the first time that gold, a natural resource from the ground, is being used to provide sustainable funding to community-backed initiatives for the protection of the iconic black rhino,” he said.
STAFF REPORTER
History was made last Thursday night in Windhoek when 1 000 ounces of gold was donated to protect Namibia's iconic black rhino.
A celebratory launch event was held at Droombos just outside Windhoek at which deputy environment minister Bernadette Jagger officiated. B2Gold will produce 1 000 limited-edition Rhino Gold Bars that will be available for sale to investors. According to a statement issued by B2Gold, on the reverse side of the gold bar a black rhino mother and calf are depicted, which symbolises hope for the future of the species.
On the front of the bar the Namib Desert is depicted - an evocative and recognisable image strongly associated with Namibia. The bars will be sold at the spot price of gold on the date of sale plus a 15% conservation premium. Bars will be available in 500g (10), one ounce (690) and half-ounce (300) denominations.
The 500g bars represent the 10 years that rhinos will still survive in the wild if poaching continues at the current rate. Mark Dawe, managing director and country manager for B2Gold Namibia who is also a keen conservationist, said the proceeds from the sale of the Rhino Gold Bars will be managed by B2Gold and an advisory committee.
The committee will include representatives from Save the Rhino Trust Namibia, Integrated Rural Development and Nature Conservation, the Namibia Chamber of Environment and the environment ministry.
A portion of the proceeds will be invested to provide long-term sustainable financing for black rhino conservation.
Significant funding will be also be applied immediately to conservation actions in the field, including support for patrols, intelligence activities and to rural communities for which the protection of rhinos is a birthright.
Jagger applauded B2Gold's efforts and thanked the company for its generous efforts to support rhino conservation and the rhino-based economy. President and CEO of B2Gold, Clive Johnson, said the company is redefining conservation financing. “The donation represents the first time that gold, a natural resource from the ground, is being used to provide sustainable funding to community-backed initiatives for the protection of the iconic black rhino,” he said.
STAFF REPORTER
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