Winner of three sustainability awards at the 2024 African Mining Indaba

Media Release 

13 February 2024

Base Resources Limited
Winner of three sustainability awards at the 2024 African Mining Indaba

African mineral sands producer, Base Resources Limited (ASX & AIM: BSE) (Base Resources) is pleased to announce it received three Responsible Resourcing Awards at the 2024 African Mining Indaba, improving on the two awards received at last year’s event.  The Responsible Resourcing Awards recognise and celebrate those junior miners that are redefining the narrative of responsible mining, protecting the environment, supporting local community, and forging a path towards a more sustainable and ethical future for the entire industry.

Base Resources received the overall award for Excellence in Best Practices, as well as awards for the Transparency and Economy categories.

Transparency Award

The Transparency category recognises the company demonstrating leading practice in transparency and working to improve accountability mechanisms that achieve business integrity and good governance. 

Base Resources’ commitment to respecting human rights is absolute.  Human rights abuses, including modern slavery, have no place in the company’s operations or supply chains.  Acknowledging Base Resources operates in countries reported to have a high prevalence of modern slavery, the company has implemented a program to champion this issue, with a focus on its Kwale Operations in Kenya (Kwale Operations).

Using risk assessment tools, Base Resources identifies higher risk suppliers and works with those suppliers to enhance their knowledge and understanding through workshops and a range of in-depth online training modules the company developed.  Base Resources has also partnered with Kenya-based NGO Human Rights Agenda Mombasa (HURIA) to undertake research to enhance the understanding of modern slavery risks within Kwale and Mombasa counties in which the company operates and amongst local suppliers.  The outcomes of this research allowed the company to deliver targeted in-person training and provide dedicated one-on-one support for implementation of policies and systems.

Further information on Base Resources’ practices is available in the company’s 2023 Modern Slavery Statement, accessible from its website at:  https://baseresources.com.au/sustainability/sustainability-reporting/.

Economy Award

The Economy category recognises the company undertaking innovative initiatives that are stimulating sustainable economic development in local communities.  This category has a particular interest in interventions that support the economic empowerment of vulnerable groups, such as women, youth, marginalised ethnicities, migrants, etc., that support economic diversification away from and reduce dependency on mining, and/or that are catalysing development of the green economy.

At Kwale Operations, local communities are playing a key role in the company’s rehabilitation program.  From the first rehabilitation activities on areas disturbed for construction of infrastructure for Kwale Operations, the company looked for opportunities to involve the communities surrounding the mine site in restoration and rehabilitation programs. 

The company’s Community Seed Collection Program uses a network of community groups to supply indigenous grass and legume seed for use in rehabilitation efforts.  Partnering with botanical specialists from the National Museums of Kenya’s Herbarium and Coastal Forest Conservation Unit, Base Resources has identified and trialled suitable species of indigenous grasses and legumes for use in rehabilitation.  With this knowledge, the company works with local communities to create awareness of the program and provide training on how to identify and harvest suitable mature seed, with about 70% of the company’s regular seed suppliers being women. 

During the 2023 financial year, the company purchased over 16,500kg of indigenous grass and legume seed from community groups, earning them around US$68,000.  Evidence of functioning ecosystems in areas rehabilitated with seed from this program demonstrates the success of using locally sourced seed that is not only adapted to local conditions but also results in establishing habitats that supports endemic fauna.

Further information on Base Resources’ community and environmental programs and rehabilitation activities is available in the company’s 2023 Sustainability Report, accessible from its website at:  https://baseresources.com.au/sustainability/sustainability-reporting/.

The successes, challenges, and lessons learnt from all Base Resources’ programs at Kwale Operations will inform how it implements programs in Madagascar as the company moves to develop the Toliara Project.

ENDS.

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About Base Resources

Base Resources is an Australian based, African focused, mineral sands producer and developer with a track record of project delivery and operational performance.  The company operates the established Kwale Operations in Kenya and is developing the Toliara Project in Madagascar.  Base Resources is an ASX and AIM listed company.  Further details about Base Resources are available at www.baseresources.com.au.

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