Canadian mining company B2Gold experienced a drop in its shares on Friday following a tragic incident in Mali. Three workers were killed when an employee transport convoy was attacked, resulting in the decline of the company's stock.
At the time of morning trading, B2Gold's shares were down 0.6% at C$3.40. On the NYSE American index, the stock also decreased by 0.6% to $2.53.
The gold producer confirmed that the employees lost their lives due to injuries sustained in the attack on a bus carrying workers from B2Gold's Fekola mine. The incident occurred approximately 47 miles west of Mali's capital, Bamako. Several other employees who were on the bus were wounded and have been moved to a local hospital, according to initial reports provided by the company.
The bus was part of a convoy that was being escorted by Malian gendarmie vehicles at the front and rear. The attack took place over 186 miles away from the mine site, along a route that has seen an increase in security presence by the Malian armed forces, as stated by B2Gold.
Fortunately, the company confirmed that the mining and processing operations at Fekola have not been affected by the incident. B2Gold has been in discussions with Mali's government regarding additional security enhancements along the transport route.
B2Gold acquired Fekola through its acquisition of Papillon Resources in 2014. The mine has been operational since late 2017 and contributed 590,243 ounces to the company's total production of 1.06 million ounces in 2023.
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