Go Green

Findings Include Recommendations to Significantly Reduce the Environmental Impact

NEW YORK, May 31, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- fifty-five, a global MarTech consultancy that empowers brands to unite and fully optimize siloed data across all channels to drive business results, today announces the findings of a study it conducted on the carbon impact of advertising campaigns, with a primary focus on digital. This study is the first iteration of a global and collaborative approach that allows brands to work together on their digital and energy transformation. The study, as well as the measurement methodology and best practices for reducing this impact, are available as an open-source tool, allowing anyone to access and leverage it to drive environmental improvements with regards to their digital marketing efforts.

“We chose to publish this study with the methodology in open source so that it can be shared and optimized by all in the industry,” said Robin Clayton, managing director U.S. for fifty-five. “Our goal is to encourage the advertising industry to collaborate and to think of ways to ultimately help the sector activate concrete levers to reduce the footprint of campaigns. Eventually, the objective will be to extend the scope of the study to other types of advertising campaigns, including TV, radio, print, out-of-home, etc., for broader use cases and impact.”

Global warming due to human activity requires all businesses to reduce their carbon footprint. However, the reality of this situation faces a major obstacle: the lack of accurate and reliable data on the real carbon "cost" of goods and services. At the same time, the digital ecosystem is responsible for more than 3.5% of the world's greenhouse gas emissions and is growing at a rate of 6% per year, which is more than global civil aviation.  

“We, as an industry, need to collaborate on this critical issue to help establish guidelines and best practices for brands, publishers and advertising technology providers to follow,” said Brian O’Kelley, advertising technology veteran and co-founder and CEO of Scope3, the source of truth for supply chain emissions data. “I’m excited to see fifty-five taking a leadership role in the movement to measure the carbon impact of advertising campaigns and how to address that to decarbonize advertising. I look forward to working with fifty-five to help drive this important initiative forward.” 

The fifty-five study presents the issues related to the carbon footprint of a theoretical campaign and offers recommendations on the best ways to reduce its negative impact. To determine this, fifty-five leveraged existing work and a methodology for calculating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, based on an indicator common to all sources of emissions, namely the mass of CO2 equivalent (CO2eq). According to estimates by fifty-five, a single digital campaign can generate more than 70 tons of CO2eq, the equivalent of the carbon footprint of about seven people for a year. 

The study then highlighted approaches a company could take to reduce emissions by nearly 50%, and in one case, by 70%. These recommendations include favoring reasoned filming, optimizing video content, and delivering campaigns via Wi-Fi versus mobile networks, among others.

To review the complete study and its supporting recommendations, visit: https://get.fifty-five.com/carbon-footprint-study-en/ 

About fifty-five
As a part of The Brandtech Group, fifty-five is a data company that helps brands collect, analyze and activate their data across paid, earned and owned channels to increase their marketing ROI and improve customer acquisition and retention. Headquartered in Paris with offices in London, Hong Kong, New York, Shanghai, Geneva, Shenzhen and Taipei, the data company was named by Deloitte as one of the fastest-growing tech firms in Europe, owing to its unique approach that blends consulting, operational and technology expertise.

Media Contact

Aqilah Allaudeen

Account Manager, Tier One Partners

aallaudeen@tieronepr.com

• Carbon offsets purchased to account for 2021 GHG emissions
  
• Canada-wide Thermal Residential Heating Project funded
• Vision to design Canada’s first carbon neutral gold mine
  

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 31, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mayfair Gold Corp. (“Mayfair” or the “Company”) (TSX-V: MFG; OTCQB: MFGCF) is pleased to announce that the 100 percent controlled Fenn-Gib Project (“Fenn-Gib”) is now Canada’s first carbon neutral gold project following the completion of carbon offset purchases to account for emissions from Company-wide activities undertaken during 2021, the Company’s first year of operations. Located in the Timmins region of Northeast Ontario, Fenn-Gib hosts a NI43-101 Indicated Resource of 2.08M ounces (see “About Mayfair” section below) with disseminated gold mineralization striking east-west on the Pipestone Fault over 1.25 kilometers (km) and up to 300 meters (m) wide at the west end.

Mayfair Gold President and CEO Patrick Evans commented: “Gold is Canada’s most valuable mined commodity, valued in excess of $12 billion annually. The industry is a significant driver of economic activity across Canada, directly employing approx. 400,000 Canadians and offering the highest average annual industrial rate of pay in the country. The future of the industry depends critically upon sustainable development. At Fenn-Gib, we are laying the foundation for Canada’s first carbon neutral gold mine. Our commitment started on January 1, 2021, when Mayfair acquired Fenn-Gib, and will continue through our exploration program, mine development, operations and eventual closure.”

An independent assessment of the Company’s activities, conducted by Toronto-based Carbonzero, determined that 738 tonnes of CO₂-equivalent greenhouse gas emissions were generated in 2021, which covered the Company’s Scope 1, 2 and most material Scope 3 emissions. These emissions were principally related to exploration activities at Fenn-Gib, where a total of 54,741m was drilled in 89 holes. To compensate for these emissions, Mayfair has purchased carbon offsets from the Canada-wide Thermal Residential Heating Aggregation Project, with the offsets being retired on the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) Clean CleanProjects^® Registry. The project, which is verified under ISO-14064-2, replaces conventional residential fossil fuel combustion heating with solar heating systems located at private residences across Canada and other facilities. The offsets were specifically selected to directly benefit a broad range of Canadians.

Mayfair’s current 80,000m infill and expansion drill program is nearing completion with approx. 75,300m completed to date. The Company in on track to report a resource update in Q3 2022. In parallel, Mayfair has successfully completed metallurgical testing which confirms that the Fenn-Gib deposit can deliver robust gold recoveries through both whole ore cyanidation (84.3 percent recoveries) and flotation (94 percent recoveries).

About Mayfair

Mayfair is a Canadian mineral exploration company focused on advancing the 100% owned Fenn-Gib gold project in the Timmins region of Northern Ontario. The Fenn-Gib gold deposit is Mayfair’s flagship asset. An open-pit constrained NI 43-101 resource estimate (February 5, 2021) reported a total Indicated Resource of 70.2M tonnes containing 2.08M ounces at a grade of 0.921 g/t Au and an Inferred Resource of 3.8M tonnes containing 75,000 ounces at a grade of 0.618 g/t Au. The deposit has a strike length of approx. 1.25km with widths ranging up to 300m. The gold mineralized zones remain open at depth and along strike to the east and west.

About Carbonzero

Carbonzero was founded in 2006 and has risen to become a leader in the design and implementation of corporate carbon reduction strategies and solutions. We assist organizations of all sizes by helping them measure, report and reduce their emissions. Our approach, tools and services ensure that our clients can cost-effectively meet their GHG measurement and reduction commitments as part of a corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategy.

For further information contact:

Patrick Evans, President and CEO
Email: patrick@mayfairgold.ca
Phone: (480) 747-3032
Web: www.mayfairgold.ca

Qualified Person Statement

Mayfair Gold’s disclosure of technical and scientific information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Howard Bird, P Geo., Vice President Exploration for the Company, who serves as a Qualified Person under the definition of National Instrument 43-101.

Forward Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation (collectively, "forward-looking statements") that relate to Mayfair’s current expectations and views of future events. Any statements that express, or involve discussions as to, expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, through the use of words or phrases such as "will likely result", "are expected to", "expects", "will continue", "is anticipated", "anticipates", "believes", "estimated", "intends", "plans", "forecast", "projection", "strategy", "objective" and "outlook") are not historical facts and may be forward-looking statements and may involve estimates, assumptions and uncertainties which could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those expressed in such forward-looking statements. No assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking statements included in this news release should not be unduly relied upon. These statements speak only as of the date of this news release.

Forward-looking statements are based on a number of assumptions and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond Mayfair’s control, which could cause actual results and events to differ materially from those that are disclosed in or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the impact and progression of the COVID-19 pandemic and other factors. Mayfair undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for Mayfair to predict all of them, or assess the impact of each such factor or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. Any forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

Resolution receives most votes of multiple resolutions considered by the company.

WASHINGTON, May 27, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- This week, at Amazon’s annual meeting, 48% of the company’s shareholders voted in favor of a resolution asking the e-commerce giant to address its growing plastic packaging problem, falling just short of a majority. The resolution was presented by Conrad MacKerron, Senior Vice President of As You Sow, the non-profit organization that filed the resolution. The resolution, which called for the company to issue a report on its plastic packaging footprint and commit to reducing that footprint going forward, received the most support of any of the multiple resolutions considered at the meeting, with 181,296,823 votes in favor.

Oceana’s Senior Vice President Matt Littlejohn said, “Nearly half of Amazon shareholders have spoken up for the oceans, sending a clear message that it’s time for the company to address its contribution to the plastic pollution problem. Amazon’s plastic packaging – as Oceana’s most recent report indicated – grew by nearly 29% in just one year. Sea turtles and other ocean animals often mistake plastic for food, which can ultimately prove fatal. Amazon is a data-driven company and has indicated to Oceana that it already measures its plastic use. It’s time for the company to be transparent about its plastic packaging and commit to quantifiable and time-bound company-wide goals to reduce it.”

Ahead of this year’s meeting, Oceana called on Amazon employees (who are also company shareholders) on the ground at Amazon’s headquarters in Seattle and Arlington, VA to win support for the resolution. The campaign featured photos of ocean animals eating or being covered by ocean plastic along with the headline “AMZN: Less plastic, please.” This effort included canvassers, mobile billboards, 1,000-yard signs, 500 posters, and a LinkedIn campaign. Oceana also sent a letter to Amazon shareholders outlining five reasons to support this resolution and created a dedicated website for the endeavor.

Additionally, Oceana rallied support for the resolution from Signatories to the UN Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI). Many of the institutional investors owning Amazon shares are members of the PRI and have pledged to seek disclosure on Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) issues by the companies they invest in. Oceana called on these investors to honor their commitment to the PRI and vote in favor of the resolution, which would seek such disclosure on plastic pollution – an immensely important ESG issue. Three of these companies publicly declared their intent to support the resolution.

Providing rationale for voting in favor of the resolution, EFG Asset Management stated, “Concern over the environmental damage caused by plastics is rising and regulations are likely to go into force in a number of jurisdictions that would limit the amount of single-use plastic packaging that can be used. Such additional disclosure as is being requested by the proponent would help shareholders gauge whether the company is appropriately managing risks related to the creation of plastic waste.”

Click here for images of Oceana’s “AMZN: Less plastic, please” campaign in support of the resolution.

To learn more about Oceana’s campaign urging Amazon to address its plastic footprint, reduce plastics, and offer plastic-free alternatives to customers, please visit oceana.org/PlasticFreeAmazon. To find out about Oceana’s campaigns to end the ocean plastic pollution crisis, go to oceana.org/plastics.

Oceana is the largest international advocacy organization dedicated solely to ocean conservation. Oceana is rebuilding abundant and biodiverse oceans by winning science-based policies in countries that control one-third of the world’s wild fish catch. With more than 225 victories that stop overfishing, habitat destruction, pollution, and the killing of threatened species like turtles and sharks, Oceana’s campaigns are delivering results. A restored ocean means that 1 billion people can enjoy a healthy seafood meal, every day, forever. Together, we can save the oceans and help feed the world. Visit www.oceana.org to learn more.

Contact: Anna Baxter abaxter@oceana.org

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at: 

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d496909a-2221-43f9-b851-828e280a5988

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/063a170d-7f79-4c30-99b6-0606f9086230

All amounts expressed in US dollars

DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania, May 27, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Barrick Gold Corporation (NYSE:GOLD)(TSX:ABX) announced today that it would spend $6 for every ounce of gold sold by its two mines in the country on improving healthcare, education, infrastructure and access to potable water in the communities around them.

At the same time, it has committed up to $70 million for investment in value-adding national projects, including mining-related training, skills development and scientific facilities at Tanzanian universities, as well as road infrastructure.

This is in accordance with the conditions underlying Barrick’s framework agreement with the government, which included the establishment of their Twiga joint venture. Twiga oversees a 50/50 split of the economic benefits generated by the mines as well as their management.

Barrick president and chief executive Mark Bristow said today the investment program was the latest evolution of the company’s very successful partnership with the government.

“Since we took over the Tanzanian mines from their previous operator in 2019, we have rebuilt relations with the state and renewed our social licence to operate here. North Mara has been redesigned as an integrated underground/open pit mine and Bulyanhulu has been resuscitated as a long-life underground mine. Together they are expected to produce more than 500,000 ounces¹ of gold per year at the lower end of the cost spectrum,” he said.

Barrick has spent more than $1.9 billion in taxes, salaries and payments to local businesses over the past two years. At least 73% of the mines’ goods and services are sourced locally and they give preference to the employment of Tanzanian nationals.

Barrick has to date also paid the government $140 million of the $300 million settlement included in the framework agreement.

Barrick Enquiries

Investor and media relations Kathy du Plessis +44 20 7557 7738 Email: barrick@dpapr.com

Country manager, Tanzania Georgia Mutagahywa +255 754 711 215 Email: georgia.mutagahywa@barrick.com

Head of sustainability, AME Hilaire Diarra +223 66 75 08 44 Email: Hilaire.diarra@barrick.com

Website: www.barrick.com

Endnote 1

On a 100% basis.

Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Information

Certain information contained or incorporated by reference in this press release, including any information as to our strategy, projects, plans, or future financial or operating performance, constitutes “forward-looking statements”. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. The words “would”, “commit”, “advance”, “generate”, “expect”, “will”, “continue” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. In particular, this press release contains forward-looking statements including, without limitation, with respect to: planned investments by Barrick in Tanzania including to develop healthcare, education and infrastructure; Barrick’s partnership with the Government of Tanzania under the framework agreement; Barrick’s contributions to the local economy, including local content programs and spending as well as anticipated contributions to value-adding national projects; and expected production and cost levels for the North Mara and Bulyanhulu mines on a combined basis.

Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions including material estimates and assumptions related to the factors set forth below that, while considered reasonable by the Company as at the date of this press release in light of management’s experience and perception of current conditions and expected developments, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. Known and unknown factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements and information. Such factors include, but are not limited to: fluctuations in the spot and forward price of gold, copper, or certain other commodities (such as silver, diesel fuel, natural gas, and electricity); the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development; changes in mineral production performance, exploitation, and exploration successes; risks associated with projects in the early stages of evaluation, and for which additional engineering and other analysis is required; failure to comply with environmental and health and safety laws and regulations; timing of receipt of, or failure to comply with, necessary permits and approvals; uncertainty whether some or all of the targeted investments and projects will meet the Company’s capital allocation objectives and internal hurdle rate; changes in national and local government legislation, taxation, controls or regulations and/ or changes in the administration of laws, policies and practices, expropriation or nationalization of property and political or economic developments in Tanzania and other jurisdictions in which the Company or its affiliates do or may carry on business in the future; damage to the Company’s reputation due to the actual or perceived occurrence of any number of events, including negative publicity with respect to the Company’s handling of environmental matters or dealings with community groups, whether true or not; risks associated with new diseases, epidemics and pandemics, including the effects and potential effects of the global Covid-19 pandemic; litigation and legal and administrative proceedings; employee relations including loss of key employees; increased costs and physical risks, including extreme weather events and resource shortages, related to climate change; and availability and increased costs associated with mining inputs and labor. Barrick also cautions that its guidance may be impacted by the unprecedented business and social disruption caused by the spread of Covid-19. In addition, there are risks and hazards associated with the business of mineral exploration, development and mining, including environmental hazards, industrial accidents, unusual or unexpected formations, pressures, cave-ins, flooding and gold bullion, copper cathode or gold or copper concentrate losses (and the risk of inadequate insurance, or inability to obtain insurance, to cover these risks).

Many of these uncertainties and contingencies can affect our actual results and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements made by, or on behalf of, us. Readers are cautioned that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. All of the forward-looking statements made in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements. Specific reference is made to the most recent Form 40-F/Annual Information Form on file with the SEC and Canadian provincial securities regulatory authorities for a more detailed discussion of some of the factors underlying forward-looking statements and the risks that may affect Barrick’s ability to achieve the expectations set forth in the forward-looking statements contained in this press release.

Barrick disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.