(Sharecast News) - Altus Strategies announced the completion of the first phase of a long-term community development programme at its wholly-owned Diba gold project in western Mali on Friday.
The AIM-traded firm said the long-term programme was initially focused on public health and education project, with the completed first phase providing safe drinking water to the local village and school.
It said the programme was the foundation of its "long-term and sustainable" investment in local communities, with further project phases for 2021 and 2022 currently being planned.
"Long-term and sustainable investment in the local communities where we operate is core to our business at Altus," said chief executive officer Steven Poulton.
"We are delighted to have completed the first phase of our community development programme at the Diba gold project in western Mali.
"This work has included the provision of safe, tapped drinking water to the local school and to the village of Koropoto, two kilometres east of the Diba deposit."
Poulton said the project involved drilling a 72.5 metre borehole, construction of a 12 metre-high water tank with a solar-powered water pump, and installation of all other necessary infrastructure.
"The programme at Diba is initially focused on the two priority areas of health and education, and builds on our existing strong ties to the local community from which many of our staff are employed.
"I look forward to updating shareholders on this work, as well as on the current drilling programme at Diba, in due course."
At 1435 BST, shares in Altus Strategies were down 4.98% at 54.35p.