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B2Gold : 2026 CEO Letter to Shareholders

B2Gold : 2026 CEO Letter to

B2gold Corp.April 29, 20265
B2Gold : 2026 CEO Letter to Shareholders

About this update from B2gold Corp.

MESSAGE FROM THE CEO Fellow Shareholders, I am pleased to present this report on B2Gold's performance in 2025 - a year that underscored the strength of our portfolio, the discipline of our execution, and the resilience of our people. Despite some operational, permitting and geopolitical challenges, B2Gold delivered approximately 980,000 ounces of consolidated gold production safely and responsibly, demonstrating the reliability of our assets and our ability to perform through cycles. 2025 was a pivotal year for value creation. We completed the construction and development of the Goose Project in Nunavut, Canada-our newest cornerstone asset-and celebrated the first gold pour in June 2025 and achieved commercial production in early October 2025. The Goose Mine is set to enhance and extend our production profile, and strengthen B2Gold's position as a responsible, diversified gold producer. This important milestone refiects our commitment to disciplined growth and delivering sustainable, long-term returns for our shareholders. OPERATIONAL AND FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE Throughout 2025, B2Gold successfully navigated a year of growth and development while remaining firmly focused on disciplined execution and responsible mining. Our continued delivery of industry-leading health, safety, environmental and social performance reflects the dedication of our global workforce and the strength of our executive, management and site leadership teams. Our total consolidated gold production for 2025 of 979,604 ounces was well within our guidance range of 940,000 and 1,045,000 ounces, with cash operating costs of $769 per ounce produced being well below our annual guidance range of between $795 and $855 per gold ounce. Annual consolidated all-in sustaining costs (" AISC ") were $1,584 per gold ounce sold, at the low end of the Company's guidance range of $1,575 to $1,635 per ounce sold. Consolidated revenue from gold sales was an annual record $3.1 billion, and consolidated cash flow from operations for 2025 was $896 million. We continue to focus on our growth pipeline and production profile. In July 2025, the State of Mali granted the Underground Mining Approval for the Company to commence underground operations, including stope ore production at the Fekola Mine-where we also celebrated a significant milestone in 2025 with 4 million ounces of gold produced since inception. On September 15, 2025, we announced the approval of a development decision on the Antelope underground deposit at the Otjikoto Mine, which is expected to be a low-cost underground operation to supplement production and extend Otjikoto's life into the next decade. Our most significant growth milestone in 2025 was the achievement of commercial production at the Goose Mine in early October 2025. As a Canadian company, we are very proud to have built our first mine in Canada, and, coupled with the significant exploration potential which remains across the Back River Gold District, we are positioned well for growth at Goose in the future. RETURN OF CAPITAL During 2025 we remained well funded and were able to return $117 million to our shareholders by way of dividends and share repurchases under our normal course issuer bid (" NCIB "). Our dividend yield as of December 31, 2025 was 1.8%, remaining in the top quartile of the global gold producers. The NCIB is reflective of our belief that the market continues to undervalue our common shares and that the shares may trade in a price range which may not adequately reflect their value in relation to the business, assets, and prospects of B2Gold from time to time and that purchases of the shares pursuant to the NCIB may represent an appropriate and desirable use of the Company's capital. We were active under the NCIB in 2025 with repurchases to December 31, 2025 in the aggregate amount of $10 million. In the first quarter of 2026, the Company repurchased a further 16 million shares for CAD $109 million and expects to buy back further amounts as the year progresses. CONTINUED FOCUS ON GROWTH In 2025, key highlights for B2Gold were the completion of construction at the Goose Mine and celebration of the first gold pour in June, the official opening in September, and the achievement of commercial production in early October. These milestone events in Nunavut are due in large part to the hard work and determination of our world-class employees and the support of all stakeholders, in particular the Kitikmeot Inuit Association (" KIA "). We recognize that respect and collaboration with the KIA is central to the license to operate in the Back River Gold District and we will continue to prioritize developing the project in a manner that recognizes Inuit priorities, addresses concerns, and brings long-term socio-economic benefits to the Kitikmeot Region. We look forward to continuing to build on our strong collaboration with the KIA and Kitikmeot communities. The Goose Mine will continue to ramp up in 2026 and early 2027, including crusher circuit modifications identified as necessary for it to achieve its steady-state, life of mine production target of 300,000 ounces of gold per year and continuing over the medium-term. Our continuing exploration success at the Goose Mine and other Back River greenfield targets supports our view that Back River should be regarded as District with significant growth potential. Our 2026 Back River exploration budget of $46 million reinforces this conviction and you can expect to see a continued focus on exploration in the years to come. On July 14, 2025, we announced the positive results of a Feasibility Study (" FS ") on our Gramalote Project. Highlights of the FS include a meaningful production profile with average annual gold production of 177,000 ounces over a 13-year project life and strong project economics with an after-tax net present value discounted at 5% of $941 million and an after-tax internal rate of return of 22.4% at $2,500 gold price. The study also highlights a low-cost operating structure and favourable metallurgical characteristics, reinforcing the project's potential as a robust and economically attractive asset. We are progressing well on amending the mining and environmental permits and resettlement at Gramalote Project. We expect to make a decision as to next steps at Gramalote by mid-year 2027. On July 30, 2025, we received approval from the State of Mali to begin underground operations at the Fekola Mine, including stope ore production. Underground production commenced in the third quarter of 2025 and was a key contributor to the Fekola Complex's production in 2025. Underground production is a key production growth-driver for the Fekola Complex over the next few years, and we will focus exploration efforts on it as we seek to increase high grade underground resources. On September 15, 2025, the Board approved a development decision on the Antelope underground deposit at the Otjikoto Mine which we believe has the potential to supplement Otjikoto Mine low-grade stockpile production during the period between 2028 to 2032 and result in a meaningful low-cost production profile for the Otjikoto Mine into the next decade. SAFETY FIRST B2Gold continues to lead the industry in health and safety, environmental and social initiatives across our operations, guided by our core principles of fairness, respect, transparency, and accountability. Our commitment to responsible mining will be detailed in our upcoming Responsible Mining Report, set for release in May 2026 and I encourage you to explore it. The report showcases our 2025 milestones and achievements, including an impressive ninth consecutive year without an on-site fatality across all operations, while upholding one of the industry's lowest injury rates. We maintained our Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate and Total Recordable Injury Frequency Rate at mining industry lows of 0.09 and 0.35, respectively. Most notably, our team at Masbate surpassed an outstanding seven years (45.7 million hours) without a Lost Time Injury and Fekola surpassed two years (23.9 million hours) without an LTI. These safety achievements are made possible by our dedicated and diverse global workforce. Of our 6,327 employees globally, approximately 97% are national employees and 13.3% of employees are female. We remain dedicated to creating inclusive and accessible work environments that support individuals from diverse backgrounds, abilities, cultures, and identities. ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY As a responsible mining company, B2Gold is committed to developing its resources in a manner that minimizes environmental and biodiversity impacts. In 2025, we finalized the B2Gold No Net Loss Roadmap, which identifies actions to strengthen our biodiversity management practices and address potential gaps in achieving our commitment to no net loss of critical habitat. In addition, we publish an annual Climate Strategy Report aligned with the recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (" TCFD "). This report outlines the Company's approach to identifying and managing physical and transition climate-related risks, as well as actions to reduce our carbon footprint in support of our target to reduce Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 30% by 2030 for our Fekola, Masbate, and Otjikoto operations, based on a 2021 baseline. B2Gold is committed to reducing GHG emissions through a structured decarbonization pathway. Our approach prioritizes expanding renewable energy, electrification, improving energy efficiency, and adopting emerging carbon reduction technologies. This includes our industry-leading solar power installations at both the Otjikoto and Fekola Mines, as well as the upcoming commissioning of a new solar plant at the Masbate Gold Project. Together, these initiatives reduce heavy fuel oil (" HFO ") consumption while also creating the potential for long-term, community-based power assets beyond the life of the mines-reinforcing our view that responsible mining can deliver lasting benefits for the communities where we operate. COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITIES B2Gold also remains committed to supporting the well-being of the communities where we operate through management approaches that deliver positive and sustainable outcomes for both our business and our stakeholders. We are grateful for the continued collaboration and trust of governments and communities across our operating jurisdictions. In 2025, B2Gold contributed over $1 billion to governments in Mali, Namibia, the Philippines, Colombia, and Canada through taxes, royalties, and dividends, in addition to investing over $14 million in community development initiatives. In Mali, a key local investment project, the 60-hectare Bafarato hydro-agricultural project in Medinandi, supports communities affected by land acquisition related to the Fekola expansion. Developed under our Livelihood Restoration Plan and in partnership with local stakeholders, the initiative is restoring agricultural production, strengthening food security, and creating sustainable income opportunities for impacted families. At Masbate, a central initiative is the Digital Hub, a dedicated co-working space that connects community members to digital livelihood opportunities, including virtual assistance, web development, and e-commerce, supporting greater participation in the evolving digital economy. B2Gold also contributed towards the relief efforts following typhoon Opong, which struck the region in 2025. In Namibia, B2Gold in partnership with the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development, inaugurated Phase 1 of the Otavi Bulk Water Project in 2025, a significant milestone in improving the town's water supply. The project, which B2Gold Namibia contributed N$5 million to the joint investment of N$7.5 million, aims to secure reliable water access for the Otavi community, a critical step towards long-term water sustainability. We also established the Mark Dawe Legacy Fund in memory of B2Gold Namibia's late Managing Director and Country Manager. The Fund provides $100,000 annually to support the Nakayale Private Academy for orphaned and marginalized children and will continue for the duration of our operations in Namibia. At our Back River Gold District in Nunavut, we uphold our long-term commitment to Kitikmeot Inuit through the Back River Inuit Impact Benefit Agreement (" IIBA ") with the KIA signed in 2018. This renewable 20-year agreement ensures land tenure security while maximizing benefits for Kitikmeot Inuit. In 2025, B2Gold Nunavut and the Cambridge Bay-based Redfish Arts Society announced a three-year extension of the Inuit Workplace Experience Program (" IWEP ") following a highly successful pilot focused on delivering skilled trades training to at-risk Inuit youth. In addition, B2Gold was proud to stand beside Inuit and Kitikmeot Community leaders in September 2025 during the Grand Opening of the Goose Mine to make the largest private sector investment in Nunavut's public housing system's history. Our donation of CAD $10 million will be used by the Nunavut Housing Corporation to procure and build public housing units in all five Kitikmeot communities. B2Gold is committed to supporting the communities where we operate, including Vancouver. Through our More Than Mining Fund, we invest in local organizations addressing critical issues such as poverty, mental health, addiction, and family violence. In 2025, we contributed approximately CAD $1 million through this initiative, reinforcing our commitment to community well-being. CONTINUED FOCUS ON EXPLORATION Exploration remains a key focus as B2Gold seeks to both expand its reserve and resource base at its existing operations as well as seeking out greenfield opportunities, including strategic investments in prospective junior exploration companies. We executed another year of aggressive exploration in 2025, spending $61 million in exploration, approximately half of which was at the Back River Gold District, with the goal of enhancing and growing the significant resource base at the Goose Mine and surrounding regional targets. In Namibia, the exploration program at the Otjikoto Mine continued to focus on drilling at the Antelope deposit. In Mali, the exploration program was directed at a more strategic search for near-mine, near-surface sources of additional sulphide-related gold mineralization. In the Philippines, the exploration program at Masbate focused on drilling targets immediately south of mine infrastructure. In 2026, we will continue to invest heavily in exploration, with a budget of $73 million being allocated among brownfield and greenfield opportunities, with approximately 60% being committed to the Back River Gold District. In addition, the search for new joint ventures and strategic investment opportunities will continue, building on existing equity investments including Snowline Gold Corp., AuMEGA Metals Ltd., and Prospector Metals Corp. LOOKING AHEAD Looking ahead to the remainder of 2026 and beyond, B2Gold remains focused on building on our strong sustainability performance while continuing to execute our core strategic priorities. These include maximizing profitable production across our operating mines; advancing our pipeline of development and exploration projects to support disciplined growth; evaluating new exploration, development, and production opportunities; and maintaining an industry-competitive dividend. We are committed to delivering on these objectives in a way that creates long-term value while driving positive outcomes for all stakeholders through responsible and sustainable growth. Earlier in 2026, I announced my intention to retire at this year's Annual General Meeting, and with my support, the Board of Directors nominated Michael Cinammond, our Senior Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer, as my successor. I believe this is the right time to pass the leadership of B2Gold to the next generation and I have full confidence in Mike and the executive team's ability to guide the Company through its next successful phases of execution and growth. It has been a great privilege to lead B2Gold since its founding in 2007. Over that time, we have grown the Company through disciplined, well-executed acquisitions and exploration success into a leading gold producer with a diverse portfolio of operating mines and development projects around the world. I am especially proud that, alongside this growth, we have remained grounded in our core values of fairness, respect, transparency, and accountability. Our reputation as an efficient, transparent, and responsible operator has allowed us to attract and retain some of the best people in the industry. I am equally proud of the positive contributions we have made to the communities where we operate-striving to leave a lasting and meaningful impact. I am excited, particularly in my new role as Chair Emeritus, to watch B2Gold continue to create sustainable, long-term value for our shareholders in the years ahead. In closing, I would like to extend my sincere thanks to our employees worldwide, whose commitment to safety, operational excellence, and professionalism continues to underpin our success. Their resilience and dedication over the years have been exceptional. I also wish to thank our Board of Directors for their guidance and support, and to recognize our outstanding executive leadership team. Your ability to lead, adapt, innovate, and execute remains a key strength of our Company. Finally, to our shareholders, thank you for your continued trust and support. Over the past 19 years, your confidence in B2Gold has been essential to our evolution into a safe, responsible, and profitable gold producer. We are grateful for your partnership and remain focused on delivering sustainable long-term value. Yours sincerely, Clive Johnson Clive Johnson President, CEO, Founder and Director 10. B2GOLD 2026 Management Information Circular Message from the Incoming President & CEO MESSAGE FROM THE INCOMING PRESIDENT & CEO Dear Fellow Shareholders, I am truly honoured to take on the role of leading B2Gold. Having been part of the Company since 2013, and serving as Senior Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer since 2014, I have had the privilege of working alongside many of the talented people who make B2Gold what it is today. I look forward to building on that experience as we continue to grow together. B2Gold is a company defined not only by the strength of its assets, but by the quality, dedication, and integrity of its people. With this strong foundation, I believe we are very well positioned for the future. I've been privileged to work alongside Clive and the other founders of B2Gold to see how they built B2Gold into a strong and resilient company. The appointment of Clive as our Chairman Emeritus is a rarely bestowed position in our industry and reflects the enormous contribution he has made to our industry over his career, which spans more than forty years. Over the next couple of months, I will continue to work closely with Clive and alongside our Executive Chair, Board of Directors, management team, and employees across our global operations to continue building on our success. Looking ahead, our short-term focus as a Company needs to be delivering production growth at the Fekola Mine in 2026 and ramping up the Goose Mine to steady state gold production by mid 2027. Beyond this, my focus will be on delivering strong operational performance, maintaining disciplined capital allocation, and continuing to grow the Company in a way that creates longterm value for our shareholders. Just as importantly, we will remain committed to operating responsibly and supporting the communities where we work. In summary, I would like to thank Clive for all that he has done for this Company and our industry over these many years and thank you, our shareholders, for all of your continued trust and support as we move forward into this next chapter together. We will deliver the value that you know is ready to be unlocked in our Company. Yours sincerely, Mike Cinnamond Mike Cinnamond SVP Finance & Chief Financial Officer B2GOLD 2026 Management Information Circular 11. B2GOLD 2026 Management Information Circular

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