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Community relations
Avocet recognises the impact that its projects have on the local communities in the areas in which we operate. We also recognise that our ongoing success is dependent on our social license to operate. This license is maintained by ensuring the parallel success of these communities as we continue to develop and grow our business.
The Inata mine site is located in the north of Burkina Faso close to the Mali border where, prior to the mine construction, local communities were entirely pastoral, and the economy based on subsistence. Avocet has established a community relations department that liaises with the local communities. This department aims to promote sustainable social and economic development at grass roots level in those communities local to the mine through social, educational, health, water supply and road projects. Significant investment in projects that have directly benefited the local communities include the provision of regular water supply with the construction of the Gomde Water barrage, the construction of local roads that are used by the community and the construction of a new village to allow for easier water access to the water barrage.
Avocet has also undertaken a number of initiatives to promote local employment and local business development. Avocet and its contractors are the main source of permanent direct employment in the Inata area, and wherever possible, Inata aims to source its purchases from local businesses, which creates further, indirect employment as supporting enterprises develop to service our operations and its employees. Avocet has encouraged its contractors to follow the same principles. This initiative has resulted in an increased level of openness and transparency between us and the surrounding community as well as an increased level of mutual understanding.
During 2010 Avocet formed a foundation which acts as the vehicle for Inata's community based projects. The Fondation du Avocet du Burkina (FAB), which is funded by Avocet's local subsidiary SMB, funds select education, health and other projects submitted by the local communities to the foundation for consideration.
Healthcare
During 2011, healthcare was a key focus of the Foundation's initiative and contributions were made towards the building of a health and social promotion centre at Filio. At the community's request an ambulance was donated to the health centre at Arbinda.
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Water supply
Regular access to potable water is a major issue in the region surrounding the Inata mine due to low annual rainfall and a lack of water supply infrastructure. In addition to the construction of the Gomde Barrage,
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SAFTEY RECORD
As at 30 November 2011, Inata had achieved in excess of 6 million man hours loss time injury free. Since production commenced in December 2009, the mine site has not had a single lost time injury making it a global industry leader in safety practises in West Africa.
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CYANIDE CODE
In November 2011, Avocet became a signatory to the ICMC. The ICMC is an industry voluntary program for gold mining companies. It focuses exclusively on the safe management of cyanide and cyanidation mill tailings and leach solutions.
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EITI
Avocet has become a Supporting Company of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI). The EITI is a coalition of governments, companies and civil society which sets a global standard for managing the transparency of revenues from natural resources.
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