Augustus Minerals (ASX:AUG)

AI Defines 18 New Gold Targets at Music Well

Augustus Minerals (ASX: AUG; “Augustus” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce the results from the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) algorithms to generate and predict gold targets within the Company’s Music Well project.

SensOre consultants have applied artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML) and other processing techniques using both public and proprietary datasets over the Music Well Project.

  • Cutting edge AI/ML algorithms targeting areas with minimal outcrop or under cover.
  • Integration of geological, geochemical and geophysical data sets into the AI process to define digital mineralisation fingerprints and generate AI-enhanced gold discovery predictions.
  • The AI SensOre study concluded that “Application of ML algorithms were found to model +1m oz Au potential with a high degree of predictability, and a total of 18 targets were identified within the Music Well project”:
    • Target 1 has the highest priority and is in the central north of the project with a strike length of 8km.
    • Target 1 trends NNW parallel to the general geological fabric as well as being intersected by several WNW trending cross structures.
    • Target 2 is located 4km east of the Wonder Deeps mine of Northern Star and is adjacent to a parallel WNW trending structure hosting Vault Minerals Great Western mine.
    • Target 2 is 1.4km in strike and 800m wide.
    • No historic drilling has been recorded at any of the target areas, highlighting the underexplored nature of the Music Well project.
  • Next Steps
    • Geological mapping and sampling over these new targets are scheduled for the next two weeks to gain further insight into the new targets.
    • Results from the January rock chip sampling program are expected shortly.

Andrew Ford, GM Exploration

“The work by SensOre has focussed our attention from areas of outcrop, toward regional targets which are obscured in many cases by thin cover and sheetwash. By applying groundbreaking technologies such as artificial intelligence has enabled the rapid prioritization of multiple targets. The definition of targets reflecting a specific geophysical and geochemical response which also focuses on key mineralised structural trends provides encouragement as to the robust nature of the targeting process”.

Augustus MineralsFigure1: Regional Tenement Packages and Gold Projects

Background:

Augustus Minerals Limited (ASX: AUG) holds the exploration licenses and applications comprising the Music Well Gold Project (“Project”) located 35km north of Leonora in the Leonora/Laverton Greenstone Belt of Western Australia.

Music Well comprises ten exploration licences covering an area of 1,345km2, making the Project one of the largest exploration packages in the region (Figures 1 and 2).

The outstanding gold endowment of the Leonora-Laverton District of >28M ounces3 is illustrated by the numerous operating gold mines including the Darlot Gold Mine (~12km to the north), the King of the Hills Mine (~20km to the west), the Leonora Gold Camp (~30km to the southwest), and the Thunderbox Gold Mine (~20km to the west).

AI Enhanced Gold Exploration

The Company commenced a gold targeting exercise with SensOre_X Pty Ltd (SensOre) in November 2024, using their Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) technologies to allow predictive analytics to generate targets for discovery of gold systems at the Music Well project.

SensOre is an industry leading technology services provider of AI/ML applications to the minerals exploration and mining industry. SensOre’s technologies have been developed over many years and involve the application of new computer assisted statistical approaches and ML techniques across the mineral cycle to provide the next generation of exploration discoveries. SensOre aims to become the top global minerals targeting company through deployment of big data, AI/ML technologies and geoscience expertise.

The Company committed to this new technological approach to gold exploration at Music Well to reinforce the existing generative exploration undertaken by the Company and deliver new “out of the box” targets for gold mineralisation over the project area, which has minimal historic exploration and limited outcrop.

In addition, the Company has inherited a large and impressive database of geological, geochemical, and geophysical information since acquiring Music Well Gold Mines Pty Ltd in late 2024. Having a variety of good quality datasets is considered a key attribute for the application of the AI/ML technology to accelerate the discovery process. The data layers used in the AI/ML processing include results from 2,478 Ultra fine fraction soil samples, 18,042 soil samples and 155 rock chip samples, in addition to detailed aeromagnetic and gravity data.

The Music Well project is contained within an area of influence (AOI) where a “data cube” was constructed covering the four 100k scale regional map sheets containing 80m x 80m cells. This data cube contains 1,440,000 cells x 1,618 variables where the AI/ML technology was applied.

Figure 2: SensOre geophysical predictions identifying multiple intrusion types and an area of probable mafic/ultramafic rocks in the SE of the project

The application of the machine learning approach applied by SensOre to the database of geochemical, geological and geophysical information compiled over the Company’s AOI has demonstrated the highly gold prospective nature of the Music Well project. Application of the machine learning algorithms modelled the probability of gold systems within the AOI and more specifically the Music Well project. This required 107 variables for discrimination that were applied to the 80m by 80m cells within the AOI.

Click here for the full ASX Release

This article includes content from Augustus Minerals, licensed for the purpose of publishing on Investing News Australia. This article does not constitute financial product advice. It is your responsibility to perform proper due diligence before acting upon any information provided here. Please refer to our full disclaimer here.



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B2Gold Corp. (TSX: BTO) (NYSE AMERICAN: BTG) (NSX: B2G) ("B2Gold" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has published its ninth annual Responsible Mining Report entitled "Raising the Bar" (the "Report"), which details B2Gold's global economic contributions and its environmental, social, and governance ("ESG") management practices, together with the Company's performance against key indicators in 2024. Highlights of the Report are presented below, and full details are outlined in the Report, which is available to view or download at the link provided below. All dollar figures are in United States dollars unless otherwise indicated.

B2Gold is also pleased to announce that it has published its 2024 Climate Strategy Update. The Climate Strategy Update presents stakeholders with information on how B2Gold manages its climate-related risks and impacts and is the Company's fourth annual report in line with the recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures.

To view or download a copy of the Responsible Mining Report and Climate Strategy Update, and all other documents referred to in this press release, please visit www.b2gold.com/sustainability/esg-reporting-portal

In announcing the release of the Report and the Climate Strategy Update, Clive Johnson, President & CEO of B2Gold, states "As I reflect on the achievements and challenges of the past year, I am particularly proud of the dedication of our people, who continue to drive B2Gold forward. We have successfully navigated dynamic capital markets, regulatory changes, and evolving ESG expectations while maintaining our high standards of responsible mining. Together, we strive to continue to create long-term value for all of our stakeholders, while upholding the level of operational excellence, environmental stewardship, and social responsibility that define B2Gold."

Highlights from the 2024 "Raising the Bar" Responsible Mining Report

Economic Contribution

As a responsible gold miner, B2Gold aims to create and distribute economic value among its stakeholders. B2Gold's economic performance is measured by the economic value that it generates for others, including payments to governments through taxes and royalties, local hiring and procurement and investment in communities. In 2024, B2Gold:

  • Achieved total consolidated gold production of 804,778 ounces (including 19,644 ounces of attributable production from Calibre Mining Corp.);

  • Generated $1.9 billion in annual revenue;

  • Paid $283 million in employee wages and benefits;

  • Invested $12.8 million in its local communities 1 ; and

  • Paid $564 million to governments (through taxes and royalties).

B2Gold is committed to maximizing local and national economic benefits from its contracting and purchasing. The Company is conscious of the high priority that host communities and governments place on local procurement. In sourcing the goods and services necessary to run its operations, B2Gold gives preference to local businesses where possible, provided they meet minimum safety, quality, ethical, and cost requirements. In 2024, over $600 million of goods and services were procured from local and host-country businesses. Several 2024 success stories are outlined in the Report.

People

As a reputable corporate citizen, B2Gold generates national employment and opportunities for people to develop their careers, trains employees to acquire new skills, and opens doors to women, under-represented groups and previously disadvantaged people. The Company fosters positive and productive engagement with employees, provides safe workplaces, and believes that investing in people attracts and retains talented individuals and assists in their abilities to provide for themselves, their families and their futures.

At the end of 2024, B2Gold employed 6,478 2 people across all operations. The Company continues to maintain high local employment rates by targeting recruitment efforts at regional and national levels. Across all operations, 97% of the total workforce, and 58% of Senior Management 3 were comprised of national 4 employees.

B2Gold values a diverse workforce. In recent years, the Company has made significant strides in advancing its Equity, Diversity and Inclusion initiatives. In 2021, the adoption of a Diversity Policy by the Company's Board established a target of 30% female representation on the Board and in management-level positions, underscoring its commitment to promoting and achieving gender diversity at all levels of the organization. B2Gold is pleased to report that as of the end of 2024, 40% of Company directors identify as gender diverse.

Health and Safety

As a result of B2Gold's focus on injury prevention, the Company is once again pleased to report that for the ninth consecutive year, it has maintained a zero-fatality workplace. Additionally, B2Gold's injury rates remain amongst the lowest in the mining industry, with a Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate of 0.05 5 in 2024. These achievements underscore the Company's position as a leader in safety performance within the industry.

Communities

B2Gold maintains its social licence to operate by building trust-based relationships, actively engaging with stakeholders, and implementing community investment activities based on local ownership and development priorities. Highlights of the 2024 community investment programs include:

  • At the Fekola Complex, the 70-hectare Goungoubato Agricultural Project is supporting over 250 households affected by resettlement, directly addressing food insecurity whilst fostering small- and medium-sized enterprise growth through newly formed farmers' associations. Additionally, B2Gold continued its partnership with Global Affairs Canada and its support of the FEMA Project, which aims to improve conditions for women and children living in artisanal mining communities within the Fekola Mine's area of influence. The FEMA Project was initiated in March 2022 and will continue until 2027.

  • At the Masbate Gold Project, investment continued to focus on education, access to health services and facilities, and programs that enhance local economic opportunities, including skills training and small enterprise support. The Training for Employment Program reached its fifth year of partnership in 2024 and remains a powerful driver of economic mobility by equipping individuals with the skills and training needed to build sustainable livelihoods. Over the lifetime of the project, 1,521 individuals have received training and over 600 participants have secured employment.

  • At the Otjikoto Mine, B2Gold Namibia achieved significant milestones that reflect the Company's commitment to meeting critical needs, supporting long-term development, and fostering resilience beyond the life of the mine. Notable achievements include the completion of the Ombili Clinic, which will improve access to healthcare in the region, and the Otavi Water Project, which enhances water security through the construction of a tower and water distribution system.

  • At the Back River Gold District, B2Gold Nunavut continues to strengthen its close relationships with the Kitikmeot Inuit Association and communities across Canada's Arctic. The Company is investing in collaborative projects throughout the Kitikmeot region that promote community wellness, support youth through sports, recreation, and education, and advance initiatives focused on women and Elders. A standout initiative is the Inuit Workplace Experience Program, delivered in partnership with the Redfish Arts Society, which provides Kitikmeot Inuit youth with hands-on training in welding and fabrication—equipping them with valuable skills for employment in Nunavut's growing mineral development sector. B2Gold Nunavut remains committed to working alongside the Kitikmeot Inuit Association to advance further initiatives that ensure the benefits of the Back River Gold District reach the communities of Cambridge Bay, Kugluktuk, Gjoa Haven, Taloyoak, and Kugaaruk.

Environment

B2Gold's remains firmly committed to reducing greenhouse gas ("GHG") emissions, with a target to reduce Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 30% by 2030 against a 2021 baseline. The completion of the Fekola solar plant expansion in early 2025 underscores this commitment by advancing the decarbonization of operations through innovative and sustainable energy solutions. The expanded Fekola facility is expected to supply approximately 30% of the site's electricity demand and reduce annual emissions by an estimated 63,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO 2 e).

Approach to Reporting

B2Gold is committed to the transparency of its sustainability risks, management and performance. The Report is aligned with the Global Reporting Initiative Sustainability Reporting Standards and the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board Mining and Metals Sustainability Accounting Standard . The Company firmly believes that the mining industry has an opportunity to contribute positively to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and it has reported its contribution in this regard since 2018.

Highlights from the 2024 Climate Strategy Update

2024 Highlights

  • B2Gold is committed to a GHG emissions reduction target of a 30% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2030 against a 2021 baseline.

  • The Company continued evaluation of financial impacts of key climate risks identified at sites during previous climate scenario analysis workshops.

  • The total Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions (for the Fekola, Masbate and Otjikoto operations) remained relatively stable in 2024, with a slight decrease to an estimated 699 thousand tonnes CO 2 e compared to 701 thousand tonnes in 2023. The Company's consolidated GHG emissions intensity was 0.89 tonnes CO 2 e per gold ounce produced in 2024 (compared with 0.71 in 2023), a modest increase driven in part by a reduction in total gold production.

  • The proportion of electricity consumed at B2Gold operations from renewable sources was 21.7% in 2024. At Otjikoto, the proportion of electricity consumed from renewable sources was over 70%.

Looking Forward – 2025 and Beyond

In 2025, B2Gold looks forward to strengthening its global partnerships and deepening its commitment to the diverse communities in which it operates. The Company will continue investing in initiatives that expand vocational training and promote job creation, improve access to education, and enhance healthcare services. B2Gold believes that by building local capacity and fostering strong alignment among governments, communities, stakeholders, and the Company, it can help create resilient, healthy, and prosperous communities throughout the mining lifecycle.

As part of its climate strategy, B2Gold will continue to advance renewable energy initiatives across its operations, supporting its target to reduce Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 30% by 2030 against a 2021 baseline. At the Masbate Gold Project, an 8.2-megawatt ("MW") solar plant is scheduled for installation in 2025, which will further reduce emissions and heavy fuel oil ("HFO") consumption. In Nunavut, following regulatory approvals received in 2024, B2Gold is finalizing project plans and environmental commitments for the proposed Back River Energy Centre—a renewable energy facility that could include up to thirteen wind turbines, solar panels, and battery storage, with the potential to deliver more than 55 MW of clean energy. This facility is expected to significantly reduce reliance on HFO, as well as the number of fuel barges and fuel truck trips along the winter ice road.

Beyond increasing the share of renewable energy in its operations, B2Gold is actively assessing a range of additional carbon reduction opportunities, including energy efficiency improvements, the use of alternative fuels, and optimization of materials movement. The Company remains committed to innovation by working closely with industry-leading partners and staying prepared to adopt emerging technologies that align with its decarbonization goals.

About B2Gold

B2Gold is a responsible international senior gold producer headquartered in Vancouver, Canada. Founded in 2007, today, B2Gold has operating gold mines in Mali, Namibia and the Philippines, the Goose Project under construction in northern Canada and numerous development and exploration projects in various countries including Mali, Colombia and Finland.

ON BEHALF OF B2Gold Corp.

"Clive T. Johnson"
President and Chief Executive Officer

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