...Nordgold has been present in Burkina Faso since 2009 and invested over $690 million to date. The Bissa Gold mine payments in 2013-2015 alone stood at approximately US$125 million in taxes, royalties and indirect taxes, which made a significant contribution to the social infrastructure of Burkina Faso. Nordgold also contributed approximately US$600 thousand to social development programs in Bissa alone from 2013-2015 and we intend to match that next years. With this in mind we feel the report is very negligent in many respects as it does not mention the broader efforts made by Nordgold via its social programmes in local communities. Instead it relies on often inaccurate or misleading anecdotal evidence. At all times the relocation processes undertaken by Nordgold were done in line with existing best practice and were successful for all involved. There are no further plans for future relocation of the Bissa or Imiougou villages since their initial move. Below we've outlined how Nordgold actually operated contrary to specific concerns and/or allegations raised in the report...Nordgold has actually increased the number of wells available in these two villages since resettling the inhabitants. During the resettlement seven new wells providing drinking water for 2,050 people were built for these two villages in line with the Burkina Faso standard which prescribes one well for every 300 inhabitants. Prior to relocation, these villages only had five wells of which only four provided drinking water. In terms of ensuring appropriate hygiene and quality controls are in place, every three months qualified personnel from the Bissa mine inspect the quality of water in each well. Communities are informed of the results of each well water test and if a change to water quality occurs Nordgold always takes immediate steps to resolve the situation...Nordgold always managed the relocation processes directly with the villages involved via dedicated community relations departments. The company has never created agencies to manage the relationship between the mine and the communities. The Bissa mine formed its Community Relations Department in 2012 to manage the livelihood restoration and community development programmes, and it has continued to do so to this day...Since 2012 the minimum daily rate for the Bissa mine employees has been 2,500CFA, giving a monthly salary of at least 60,000CFA which is twice the minimum monthly rate in Burkina Faso of 33,163 CFA. This rate applies to all employees of the mine.