14 November 2008
Sino Gold Mining Limited (ASX:SGX, SEHK:1862) is pleased to announce that two landmark agreements were signed yesterday at a ceremony in Guiyang, China. Both agreements form partnerships that are complementary to Sino Gold's existing environment and community programs.
Commenting on this event, Sino Gold Chief Executive Officer Jake Klein said:
"The first partnership is with the University of Sydney and the Guizhou Provincial Environmental Protection Authority. This initiative is aimed at providing government officers with an in-depth understanding of sustainable development policies and practices..
"The second partnership is a community development program with the Zhenfeng County Government. This initiative marks the first partnership of its type between any mining enterprise and county government in China.
"These two important partnerships are further evidence of Sino Gold's unique and sustainable approach to the exciting and rapidly evolving gold industry in today's China."
The Guizhou Environmental Management for Sustainable Development Leadership Project is a partnership between the Research Institute for Asia and the Pacific at the University of Sydney, Sino Gold Mining Limited and the Guizhou Provincial Environmental Protection Authority, People's Republic of China.
The goal of the partnership is to contribute to sustainable economic and social development of Guizhou Province with the focus on enhancement of environment and natural resources management policies and practices.
The five-year project comprises five 13-day training programs that are to be conducted in Guizhou Province, China and Sydney, Australia. It is envisaged that more than 125 Guizhou government officers will participate in the program, thus creating a pool of experienced public sector managers with in-depth understanding of environmentally-sustainable policies and practices and strong management skills.
Robyn McConchie, Director of the Research Institute for Asia and the Pacific at the University of Sydney, commented:
"We look forward to working with Sino Gold and many Guizhou government officers over the coming five years. The leaders trained by this innovative initiative are likely to provide a variety of long-term benefits to Guizhou Province."
Sino Gold's Jinfeng Mine and the Zhenfeng County Government, Guizhou Province have signed a Sustainable Community Development Cooperation Agreement for a three-phase sustainable community development program over the next ten years.
This initiative is aimed at helping the three administrative villages (Lannigou, Jinshan and Niluo) near the Jinfeng Mine realize sustainable social and economic development, and explore an effective, sustainable model for the Chinese mine sector.
Projects will include education, health and sanitation, environment, and agriculture production, as well as capacity building for community-based organizations and farmers.
As part of this initiative, Zhenfeng County's Poverty Alleviation Office (PAO) will be the lead government agency and has committed to providing "whole village promotion programs". Together, these partners will positively impact approximately 3,400 people, most of whom are Buyi ethnic minority.
A Community Development Department has been established at Jinfeng Mine and it is the first such department in Guizhou Province. With technical support from the community-based Conservation and Development Research Centre at Guizhou Normal University, the department will facilitate collaboration with a range of government agencies, the business and non-government organisation sectors, Jinfeng Mine employees and the three administrative villages.
For further information regarding Sino Gold please contact:
Investor Enquiries: |
Jake Klein, CEO or Roger Howe, Investor Relations +61 2 8259 7000, info@sinogold.com.au |
Media Enquiries: |
Kate Kerrison +61 2 6746 3221, kate@katekerrison.com.au |