Independence and competency statement
In conducting our engagement, we have complied with the applicable requirements of the Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants issued by the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants.
In conducting our engagement, we confirm that we satisfy the criteria for assurance providers as set out in out in the Audit Guidance to carry out the assurance engagement.
The assurance scope and level of assurance:
We were engaged by Dongwu Gold Group Co., Ltd to provide reasonable assurance on its Refiner’s Compliance Report for the year ended 31 December 2020.
The assurance scope consists of the Refiner’s Compliance Report.
Summary of assurance procedures:
We planned and performed our work to obtain all the evidence, information and explanations considered necessary in relation to this assurance scope. These procedures included:
Assurance observations, findings and recommendations for improvement:
No NC was raised during this audit.
Specific observations with respect to the Refiner’s Corrective Action Plan and implementation progress:
The Reasonable Assurance was conducted on April 13 to 14,2021 by Bureau Veritas.
Assurance conclusion
Please refer to the conclusion within the independent assurance report“3.A Independent Reasonable Assurance Report LBMA ISAE 3000_Gold_Dongwu Gold Group Co., Ltd. ”
Countries of Origin Annex for mined and recycled Precious Metal including the amounts (Kgs.) received from each origin
Please, see the attached file [8. Annex Country of Origin Mined and recycled Gold 2020_ Dongwu Gold Group Co., Ltd.]
Other relevant information
In 2020, the refiner continue to implement due diligence system (5 steps) in accordance with the requirements of LBMA RGG (Ver.8).
The following activities were carried out in accordance with updated of RGG requirement (Ver.8):
Step1:Gold policy add “content regarding ESG”.the refiner has conducted training on “ESG” in 2020,the suppliers’ contract included “ESG”.
Step2: "ESG" has been added to high risk criteria, supplier survey and assessment process.
Step3: "ESG" has been added to the risk management strategy. In general: comparison to previous years, there is no major change on the RGG policy, due diligence management system and compliance team.
Remark:
1. Via interview with purchasing manager of gold containing materials and checked procurement account, found that all the four suppliers are located in china, and their materials come from Shanghai, Inner Mongolia and Suzhou.
2. All suppliers has committed to comply with LBMA RGG requirements(including no systematic or widespread human rights violations related to gold mining, transportation or transaction).
3. Supplier survey and assessment process including “no systematic or widespread human rights violations related to gold mining, transportation or transaction.” No forced labour found in 2020.
4. China's ethnic minority policy and its practice including “against any form of ethnic discrimination and oppression” issued in September 1999, the refiner was familiar with and comply with the policy, no forced labour found during this audit.
Signature
Assurance firm: [Bureau Veritas Certification Shanghai Branch]
Date: [April 14,2021]
City, Country: [Suzhou, P.R.China]
The Auditors confirm that: