TSXV: ARTG
Federal and provincial governments, First
Nations and Artemis Gold collaborate on innovative Caribou
Mitigation and Monitoring Plan
VANCOUVER, BC, April 20,
2023 /CNW/ - A groundbreaking plan developed in
collaboration with the federal and provincial governments, the
Lhoosk'uz Dené Nation, the Ulkatcho First Nation and Artemis Gold
Inc. (TSXV: ARTG) ("Artemis" or the "Company"), will see
11,000 hectares secured for 50 years in central B.C. for caribou
habitat. In addition, Artemis Gold Inc. will contribute more than
$2.7 million in funding over time
toward caribou habitat restoration initiatives as part of the
company's Caribou Mitigation and Monitoring plan.
Artemis owns the Blackwater Mine project, a gold and silver mine
under construction that is located on the eastern edge of the
Tweedsmuir caribou range. The population of Tweedsmuir caribou has
dwindled over the past few decades due to several factors. The land
securement is located in and around Capoose Mountain, adjoining
Tweedsmuir Park, in a provincially
designated high elevation ungulate winter range for caribou habitat
with known recent and regular caribou use. The securement commits
the company to not explore or develop its mineral tenures in the
securement area1. The ungulate winter range designation
also precludes logging, effectively eliminating the potential for
industrial activity in the area.
The funding component of the plan will be used for caribou
habitat restoration initiatives led by the Lhoosk'uz Dené Nation
and the Ulkatcho First Nation. The two Nations plan to collaborate
with the provincial and federal governments to identify and
implement priority caribou habitat restoration projects. The plan
also commits the company to work closely with the Lhoosk'uz Dené
Nation, the Ulkatcho First Nation and the federal and
provincial governments on caribou monitoring initiatives throughout
the region.
"It is a privilege to partner and work with the Lhoosk'uz Dené
Nation, the Ulkatcho First Nation, and the provincial and federal
governments on a plan that will help accommodate the growth and
rehabilitation of the Tweedsmuir herd," said Steven Dean, Chairman and CEO of Artemis Gold
Inc., "We support the Lhoosk'uz Dené Nation and the Ulkatcho First
Nation in their plans to lead this important work, and view the
provincial and federal government support for this initiative as a
meaningful step towards reconciliation."
The development of the Caribou Mitigation and Monitoring plan is
the first time a company, the provincial government and First
Nations have collaborated to secure mineral tenures for a period of
time in connection with caribou offsetting. It is also the first
time an order under the Environment and Land Use Act has
been used to ensure the preservation and maintenance of caribou
habitat by securing mineral tenures.
"Respectful relationships between industry and First Nations are
foundational to reconciliation efforts and economic prosperity for
all British Columbians," said Josie
Osborne, Minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon
Innovation. "This initiative combines Indigenous traditional
knowledge with industry resources to secure and steward 11,000
hectares of land together with funding for caribou habitat and
restoration programs. It is a meaningful example of the potential
that can be realized when responsible resource projects proceed in
our province."
"The recovery of endangered caribou herds is incredibly
important, and the complex nature of this work requires deep
partnership between the province, First Nations and industry," said
Nathan Cullen, Minister of Water,
Land and Resource Stewardship. "Artemis Gold's decision to defer
development in 11,000 hectares of critical habitat is a good
example of what can be achieved when these partners work together
in a respectful way that benefits both ecosystem health, caribou
recovery and economic activity."
"Our connection to the land, the water, the mountains and the
Caribou are all very sacred. We truly believe the Caribou
Mitigation and Monitoring plan we developed with Artemis Gold Inc,
Ulkatcho First Nation and the federal and provincial governments is
precedent setting, and we look forward to implementing the plans
and seeing the Caribou flourish again," Council, Lhoosk'uz Dené
Nation.
"Working with Artemis Gold, Lhoosk'uz Dené Nation, and the
provincial and federal governments to address the decline in
Caribou has been an important collaboration," said Chief
Lynda Price of the Ulkatcho First
Nation. "There has always been a cultural connection between
Caribou and the Ulkatcho First Nation, and we see success as
protecting the Tweedsmuir and Itcha Ilgachuz herds and increasing
our local herd populations."
Watch here for more information about the multiparty
collaboration that led to the Caribou Mitigation and Monitoring
plan, and what it means for the Lhoosk'uz Dené Nation and the
Ulkatcho First Nation: https://youtu.be/Tl_UfCjo2Qc
__________________________________
|
1 The
securement area includes a mineral deposit defined by the previous
owners of the Blackwater Project, but which mineral deposit is
located outside of and does not form part of the reserves and
resources for the Blackwater Project as defined by
Artemis.
|
About Artemis Gold Inc.
Artemis Gold Inc. is a well-financed, growth-oriented gold
development company with a strong financial capacity aimed at
creating shareholder value through the identification, acquisition,
and development of gold properties in mining-friendly
jurisdictions. The company's current focus is construction of the
Blackwater Mine project in central British Columbia approximately 160km southwest
of Prince George and 450km
northeast of Vancouver. The
project is one of the largest capital investments in the
Bulkley-Nechako, Fraser-Fort George
and Cariboo regions of B.C. in the last decade. The first pour of
gold and silver from Blackwater Mine is expected H2 2024 and the
mine is expected to be in production for a minimum of 22 years.
Artemis trades on the TSX-V under the symbol "ARTG". For more
information visit: artemisgoldinc.com
Qualified Person
Jeremy Langford, FAUSIMM, a
Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, has
reviewed, and approved the scientific and technical information in
this news release.
ARTEMIS GOLD INC.
On behalf of the Board of Directors
"Steven Dean"
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
+1 604 558 1107
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services
Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX
Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or
accuracy of this release.
Cautionary Note Regarding
Forward-Looking Information
This news release contains certain "forward looking
statements" and certain "forward-looking information" as defined
under applicable Canadian and U.S. securities laws. Forward-looking
statements and information can generally be identified by the use
of forward-looking terminology such as "may", "will", "expect",
"intend", "estimate", "anticipate", "believe", "continue", "plans",
"potential" or similar terminology. Forward-looking statements and
information are not historical facts, are made as of the date of
this news release, and include, but are not limited to, statements
regarding the potential of the Project; the jobs to be created in
connection with the Project; the contribution of the Project to the
economy; opinions of the Province of British Columbia regarding the Project and the
region; agreements and relationships with Indigenous partners; the
future of mining in British
Columbia; the plans of the Company with respect to the
Project, including construction, site preparation, clearing,
consultation with indigenous groups; and other plans and
expectations of the Company with respect to the Project.
These forward-looking statements involve numerous risks and
uncertainties and actual results may vary. Important factors that
may cause actual results to vary include without limitation, risks
related to the ability of the Company to accomplish its plans and
objectives with respect to the development of the Project within
the expected timing or at all, the timing and receipt of certain
required approvals, changes in commodity prices, changes in
interest and currency exchange rates, risks inherent in exploration
and development activities, changes in development or mining plans
due to changes in logistical, technical or other factors,
unanticipated operational difficulties (including failure of plant,
equipment or processes to operate in accordance with
specifications, cost escalation, unavailability of materials,
equipment or third party contractors, delays in the receipt of
government approvals, industrial disturbances, job action, and
unanticipated events related to heath, safety and environmental
matters), the COVID-19 pandemic, political risk, social unrest,
changes in general economic conditions or conditions in the
financial markets, and other risks related to the ability of
the Company to proceed with its plans for the Project and other
risks set out in the Company's most recent MD&A. In making the
forward-looking statements in this news release, the Company has
applied several material assumptions, including without limitation,
the assumptions that: (1) market fundamentals will result in
sustained mineral demand and prices; (2) the receipt of any
necessary approvals and consents in connection with the development
of the Project; (3) the availability of financing on suitable terms
for the development, construction and continued operation of the
Project; (4) sustained commodity prices such that the Project
remains economically viable; and (5) that the COVID-19 pandemic and
restrictions related thereto will not materially impact the Company
or prevent the Company from operating its business as planned. The
actual results or performance by the Company could differ
materially from those expressed in, or implied by, any
forward-looking statements. Accordingly, no assurances can be given
that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking
statements will transpire or occur, or if any of them do so, what
impact they will have on the results of operations or financial
condition of the Company. Except as required by law, the Company is
under no obligation, and expressly disclaim any obligation, to
update, alter or otherwise revise any forward-looking statement,
whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time,
whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise,
except as may be required under applicable securities laws.
SOURCE Artemis Gold Inc.