On November 20, 2023, at approximately 16:00 Suriname time, illegal mining activities resulted in the collapse of a tunnel outside the mining licenses of Rosebel Gold Mines(RGM), a subsidiary of Zijin Mining based in the country. Approximately 20 illegal miners are currently trapped in a self-dug, makeshift tunnel. Rescue operations are ongoing, and the exact number of casualties is yet to be confirmed by the government. In the wake of the accident, the Surinamese government immediately launched a rescue operation, and RGM has since been assisting in the rescue efforts on humanitarian grounds.

In October 2022, Zijin Mining offered to acquire a 95% interest in RGM for $360 million and completed the acquisition by the end of January 2023. The company generated profits soon after the acquisition and produced 5.66 tonnes of gold from February to September 2023. The accident, which happened as a result of illegal mining activities outside RGM’s mining licenses, had no adverse impact on the company’s production and operations.

We hereby express our condolences to the bereaved families and wish them strength and fortitude with this grievous loss.

About Zijin Mining
Zijin Mining is a leading global metals and mining company and one of the world’s largest producers of gold, copper, and zinc. The company has more than 30 large-scale mining operations and projects across 19 countries on 5 continents. Leveraging strong in-house research, engineering, and development capabilities, Zijin maintains high operational efficiency and low costs in both acquisitions and operations. This enables the company to be an industry leader in value creation, underpinned by its philosophy of pursuing development for all and sustained by superior environmental, social, and governance performance. Zijin’s shares trade on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX: 2899) and the Shanghai Stock Exchange (SSE: 601899).