GCO Press Release | Diogo, September 08, 2022

Grande Côte Opérations, a subsidiary of the French mining and metallurgical group Eramet, is investing €30 million in new mineral sands processing equipment

GCO is returning 85 hectares of revegetated land. A first in Senegal that marks the company’s commitment to preserving the environment and biodiversity

#PeopleFirst

GCO has acquired new mining equipment that will allow it to process mineral sands that the dredge cannot extract from the dunes, thus optimizing the use of the mineral resource. The €30 million investment is accompanied by the recruitment of 104 employees, bringing the total number of jobs generated by GCO to 1,700. Local hiring, training, occupational safety requirements, and a development plan: the company is committed to valuing its first wealth, its human capital. 97% of the jobs are filled by Senegalese nationals.

#ActForThePlanet

85 hectares of land that have been rehabilitated and replanted with species chosen by local communities have been returned to the State through the Directorate of Water and Forests. These are the first of a long series that will be returned gradually and continuously: 950 hectares will be returned by 2025.

To illustrate its commitment to the Planet, it should be recalled that GCO is also the first Senegalese mine to have obtained ISO 14001 certification, proof of the excellence of the environmental and energy management system implemented by GCO, and ISO 50001 (energy management). In 2021, GCO launched a hybrid solar power plant development project to significantly reduce its carbon footprint.

It is possible to carry out an ambitious mining project while respecting its environmental commitments.

#BeBenchmark

8 years after its commissioning and after a US$830 million investment, GCO has become one of the world leaders in mineral sands. The company is developing on the basis of the best international standards.

“We are working with energy and commitment to make GCO a performing, responsible and sustainable company for all,” summarized Guillaume Kurek, Managing Director.

“GCO is part of Eramet’s philosophy, a citizen company, committed and contributing. It is with our stakeholders: the national and local authorities, the communities around the production sites, but also with our employees and subcontractors that we will create value for all. GCO demonstrates that it is a leading partner in Senegal, at the forefront of mining technologies and responsible management of its activities.”

Christel Bories, CEO Eramet

About GCO

A mining project of the PSE, GCO has invested nearly US$800 million in a floating mine, a processing plant, a 36MW power plant, the Diogo-Dakar railway line and port facilities in Dakar. Entered into production in 2014, GCO is already the 6th largest mining contributor to the Senegalese State budget (ITIE Report).

Key figures

EMPLOYMENT

1,700 jobs 97% Senegalese jobs 220 jobs created in the last 12 months

SOCIETAL

2,000 people have gained access to water 15 elementary or Koranic schools built 38 classrooms built and 1,900 students benefiting 6 km of schools secured Creation and support of 11 partner GIEs

ENVIRONMENT

1,023 hectares rehabilitated with a target of 100% rehabilitation of cleared land A 20MW hybrid solar power plant that will come into production in early 2024 First mine to return rehabilitated land Mine certified ISO 14001 and ISO 50001

Please note that this is a translation of the French press release. The original French text may contain additional information or details.