02:48 PM EDT, 03/20/2018 (MT Newswires) -- B2Gold (BTG), a Canada-based gold producer, said Tuesdaymorning that its Fekola gold mine in Mali will not be affected by a potential new mining code drafted by the government.

The company said in a statement that the asset is governed by a finalized and enforceable mining convention valid for the lifespan of the mine.

B2Gold, which poured first gold at Fekola last year, was referring to a Reuters article, which claimed minister Boubou Cisse had said the plan was to cut a 30-year protection from changes to the fiscal regime many mines in Mali have, to just each mine's life.

"The company believes its interests in Fekola are protected and that any contemplated amendments in a new mining code will not apply to Fekola without B2Gold's agreement," CEO Clive Johnson said in the statement. "No Malian government representative has informed any B2Gold representatives in Mali or elsewhere that the government does not agree with the company's position."

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