Safety is a core value at New Gold and our people are of paramount importance to us. We are committed to making sure that each of our employees returns home safely at the end of every shift. Our focus on employee safety is reflected in mine-specific assessments and process-oriented action plans that seek to identify and correct unique safety challenges through education and training. We believe focusing on prevention is the best way to eliminate any accidents or injuries and we remain vigilant in our efforts to lead the mining industry through continuous improvement to our health and safety practices.

In recognition of the operation’s exemplary safety record in 2008, Cerro San Pedro was awarded the prestigious “Casco de Plata” (the “Silver Hardhat”) from the Mexican Chamber of Mines, CAMIMEX. The award is granted to the safest mining operation in Mexico in the category of open pit operations with fewer than 500 employees. The operation sustained zero Lost Time Incidents (“LTI’s”) during the year and as of December 31, 2008 had achieved 731 days without any lost time due to injury.

The Cerro San Pedro mine also recently received special recognition from the Orica company for its social responsibility and leading role in the application of advanced explosives practices in operating the open pit mine which sits adjacent to the historic town of Cerro San Pedro.