NIKOLAI ZELENSKI Nordgold will discuss the implementation of its sustainable development programmes in the countries where it operates
With several existing developments in West Africa, internationally diversified low-cost gold producer Nordgold plans to invest further in the region and will update potential investors on its growth strategy at the 2015 Investing in African Mining Indaba, which will take place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre from February 9 to 12.
Nordgold owns one operating gold mine in Guinea, two in Burkina Faso, and one development project, also in Burkina Faso.
“As our mines are major employers and significant contributors to Burkina Faso and Guinea’s social infrastructure, we will use the platform provided by the Mining Indaba to discuss the implementation of our sustainable development programmes in those countries, which are guided by stakeholder expectations and needs,” says Nordgold CEO Nikolai Zelenski.
He tells Mining Weekly that the company will present its 2014 achievements, highlighting its production growth and costs control, which were accomplished through the implementation of a strategy developed to manage the current challenging market environment.
Nordgold aims to make a positive and active contribution to the conference, seeking to meet new investors and identify potential new projects, says Zelenski, adding that the company is keen on developing its relationships with the African media.
He further emphasises the importance of the Mining Indaba, as it brings together the world’s most influential leaders from the gold industry and the finance sector, as well as representatives from governments and policy sectors, “all of whom address critical business and policy issues,” Zelenski says.
Interactive Forum
Zelenski says events like the indaba are important as they are highly interactive forums, where global experts discuss the most pressing development issues facing African countries, with active contributions by all participants.
He points out that Nordgold also stands to benefit from interacting with investors attending the event, from private equity investors to asset management professionals.
Zelenski says, for Nordgold, one of the most important issues to discuss at the Mining Indaba is how to address the challenges that have arisen as a result of the ongoing Ebola epidemic. “We hope the discussions on this issue will lead to joint efforts to fight the disease to safeguard our operations from the impacts of the disease.”
Safe Space for Discussion
Zelenski maintains that the importance of political stability and a peaceful environment, which is conducive to the development of the West African mining sector, should also be a key issue at the conference.
He adds that the forum provided by the indaba creates opportunities for mining companies and investors, which ultimately lead to new mining developments in Africa.
Zelenski concludes that Nordgold will be interested in the sessions relevant to the future of commodities, value creation in mining and responsible gold mining.