Barkerville Gold Mines Ltd. (TSX VENTURE:BGM)(FRANKFURT:IWUB) announces that it has entered into a Project Agreement with the Lhtako Dene Nation (Red Bluff Indian Band) ("Lhtako") of Quesnel, British Columbia. The parties will mutually benefit in the development of Barkerville's 100 percent-owned Bonanza Ledge Property located in the Cariboo Mining District of British Columbia.
The Agreement is a multi-year arrangement providing for preferential contracting, employment and training provisions, academic incentives, environmental review participation, and other economic benefits from the Bonanza Ledge Project, subject to permitting approvals and the Company's decision to commence production at the Bonanza Ledge property.
"I am very pleased we have been able to come to a beneficial arrangement," says Frank Callaghan, President & CEO of Barkerville Gold Mines. "We have been exploring in the Cariboo region for over a decade and have purposely cultivated our relationship with the Lhtako to ensure that we understand what needs to be done to deliver a socially and environmentally acceptable project in the region. It takes this level of mutual dedication and respect to operate to the high standards now required in British Columbia."
"This Agreement with Barkerville is another step forward in self-sufficiency for our community," says Lhtako Dene Chief Geronimo Squinas. "The relationship was started by my father and ex-chief Frank Boucher, and it has taken this time to build a level playing field for us to be able to participate in local mining development. I hope this signals to other B.C. First Nations communities that it is possible to share in economic development, if it is conducted in the right way."
Source: Barkerville Gold Mines Ltd.