Cooperative Partnerships Finalized

BYM has executed formal partnership agreements with two licensed artisanal mining cooperatives — COMIPED and COMEAD — establishing the operational foundation for structured gold production across four contiguous concessions in the Province of Ituri.

The agreements, finalized in January 2025 after extensive consultation with cooperative leadership and community stakeholders, define the governance framework, production-sharing mechanisms, and operational protocols that will govern the partnership.

Key elements of the partnership agreements include clearly defined production-sharing ratios that ensure fair compensation for cooperative members, structured governance with joint oversight committees, equipment deployment and maintenance responsibilities, workforce training and safety standards, and environmental management commitments.

COMIPED and COMEAD are both fully licensed under the DRC Mining Code, holding valid exploitation permits for the designated concession areas. These licenses, combined with BYM's corporate structure and capital resources, create a compliant and scalable operational platform.

The cooperative consolidation model is central to BYM's value proposition. Rather than displacing artisanal miners, BYM integrates with existing licensed cooperatives, providing modern equipment, professional management, and market access while preserving community ownership and participation.

With these partnerships formalized, BYM has moved into the active phase of equipment procurement and logistics planning, targeting operational readiness in the first half of 2025. The four concessions — P1, P2, P3, and P4 — form a contiguous production corridor that enables centralized equipment deployment and coordinated logistics.

"These partnerships represent a model for responsible mining development in the DRC," stated BYM leadership. "By working with, not against, existing cooperative structures, we create shared value that benefits investors and communities alike."