[miningmx.com] — RANDGOLD Resources CEO Mark Bristow and his
3boyzonbikes team have crossed the border into Senegal on the latest lap of
a charity motorcycle ride of more than 13,000km, the company said on Monday.
The ride will take them from Bagshot in England to Abidjan in the Cote d’Ivoire,
traversing 17 European and African countries in the process.
“The purpose of the ride, the second of its kind Bristow has undertaken, is to raise
money for humanitarian causes in Africa, with a particular focus on those people
who have largely been left behind by society, such as orphans and abused women,’
said the company.
“As before, it will also support the Julian Baring Fund, which promotes the training
of geologists and mining engineers from African countries.’
Said Bristow: “Thanks to the great generosity of our sponsors we have raised
US$350 000 to date, with more coming in every day, and we have already made our
first donation, to an orphanage in Marrakech.’
Bristow’s team, which includes his two sons, were joined at the border on Monday by
members of the Randgold executive who will accompany them on the rest of the
journey through Senegal, Burkina Faso, Mali and Cote d’Ivoire, touring the
company’s operations and exploration projects and meeting with ministry of mines
officials in the process.
“Throughout the 36-day trip I will have stayed closely in touch with business,
meeting shareholders in Europe, chairing our weekly executive committee meetings
by telephone and visiting our West African activities,’ Bristow said.
The team is keeping an online journal of their progress and adventures at
www.3boyzonbikes.com. They are scheduled to reach Abidjan on July 7.
