Consent-based Approach to First Nations
Engagement Validated by Accelerated Government Permitting
Cycle
Highlights:
- Multi-year permits covering the Northwest Expo, Red Dog,
Goodspeed, Downward Dog and Hushamu exploration and development
targets
- Agreements signed with with Tlatlasikwala First Nation and
Quatsino First Nations supporting work programs
- Phase I Drilling to commence an approximately 4,000m program at
the gold-enriched copper porphyry zone at Northwest Expo
- Northisle’s commitment to a consent-based approach has proven
successful in expediting permits with permits received on an
accelerated basis
Northisle Copper and Gold Inc. (TSX-V:NCX) (“Northisle” or the
“Company”) is pleased to announce that it has received a 5-year
area-based exploration permit covering its Northwest Expo, Red Dog,
Downward Dog and Goodspeed exploration targets on the North Island
Project, in addition to the existing Hushamu permit. Northisle
followed a robust engagement process which included extensive
information sharing and discussions with impacted First Nations in
advance of and throughout the permitting process. This included the
recent signing of an agreement between the Company’s 100%-owned
subsidiary North Island Mining Corp. (“NIMC”) and Tlatlasikwala
First Nation (“Tlatlasikwala”) which provides for collaboration
between the parties in respect of the Company’s exploration
programs (the “TFN Agreement”), in addition to the agreement with
Quatsino First Nation which was signed in December 2022. The
multi-year permit covering the Pemberton Hills area has completed
its referral and consultation period and is anticipated in the
coming weeks.
This press release features multimedia. View
the full release here:
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230525005376/en/
Figure 1: Proposed Drilling at Northwest
Expo (Graphic: Business Wire)
Drilling crews are in the process of travelling to site and the
Company’s fully funded 2023 field season will commence with an
approximately 4,000m Phase I drill program focused on defining an
initial resource at Northwest Expo. Phase II will be a further
approximately 4,000m of drilling to be allocated on a priority
basis between Northwest Expo, Pemberton Hills and the Red Dog /
Goodspeed area.
Sam Lee, President & CEO, commented “Today’s announcement is
significant because we have now initiated our highly anticipated
2023 drill program and it demonstrates that our consent-based
approach to permitting is working. Through our committed efforts to
build trust and accountability with our First Nations partners, we
have been able to successfully expedite the formal permitting
process with the provincial government for two 5-year area-based
permits, which demonstrates the significant support we have for
this critical metals opportunity in Canada for a low carbon energy
transition future.”
He continued, “We are keen to initiate our fully financed Phase
I exploration program with the objective of defining a significant
resource at Northwest Expo and determining our Phase II 2023
program based on those results.”
2023 EXPLORATION PROGRAMS
Northisle has now received multi-year area-based permits
covering the Northwest Red Dog, Downward Dog, Goodspeed, and
Hushamu areas on the North Island Project. The Northwest permit is
valid for a total of five years through May 2028, while the Hushamu
permit is currently valid through November 2024. The Pemberton
Hills permit has completed the referral and consultation period and
is anticipated in the coming weeks.
Northisle plans to complete up to 8,000 meters of drilling
during 2023 and will begin exploration with an approximately 4,000
meter program at Northwest Expo (see Figure 1), which is intended
to support the definition of an initial resource in the
gold-enriched Zone 1. Based on drilling to date, as well as mapping
and geophysical surveys, the Company has a target of 40-50 million
tonnes of mineralized material for the initial resource in the
gold-enriched Zone 1. With drilling anticipated to commence during
the last week of May, assays are expected to be available during Q3
2023, with a target for completion of the initial resource estimate
by late 2023.
DIFFERENTIATED ENGAGEMENT AND PERMITTING APPROACH
Northisle was able to achieve significantly accelerated
permitting timelines, with extensive multi-year permits advanced
rapidly after submission to the BC Government, through its focus on
placing sincere engagement with First Nations as its highest
priority. Agreements with both Quatsino First Nation (see press
release) and Tlatlasikwala First Nation (see below) are a key
component to this approach. Northisle’s engagement included
extensive discussions about exploration impacts, understanding of
First Nations development priorities and the completion of advance
archeological screening on all potential drill sites before
commencement of drilling. As a result, First Nations directly
impacted by 2023 programs provided letters indicating their support
of or non-objection to our exploration programs. Northisle
continues to engage with impacted nations and has committed to the
opportunity for concurrent monitoring, enhanced environmental
reporting, archeological screening of additional exploration sites
and direct community engagement to facilitate understanding of the
mineral exploration and mining industry as well as the North Island
Project.
TLATLASIKWALA AGREEMENT
NIMC has recently signed the TFN Agreement with Tlatlasikwala,
which provides for ongoing mutually respectful collaboration
between the parties in respect of the Company’s exploration
programs. The Agreement covers all NIMC mineral claims within
Tlatlasikwala Territory (as defined in the Agreement) and provides
for the following:
- Recognition of Tlatlasikwala rights in respect of its Territory
and NIMC rights in respect of its mineral claims
- The provision of letters of non-objection in respect of
exploration activities following engagement
- Agreement to work on the basis of mutual understanding, fair
and balanced negotiations, open, honest and fair dealings and to
deal in good faith
- A defined framework for ongoing engagement in respect of the
Company’s exploration activities
- Capacity funding and benefits sharing, community meetings and
protection of cultural heritage resources
- Economic development and employment, training and contracting
opportunities
2023 CATALYSTS
In January, Northisle announced several key catalysts for
2023.
- COMPLETED - Results from Fall 2022 surface exploration
program including geophysics, mapping and sampling
- COMPLETED - Advancement of Pemberton Hills thesis
- COMPLETED - Signed agreement with Tlatlasikwala First
Nation in addition to existing Quatsino First Nation agreement
- Q2-Q3 2023 - Northwest Expo resource definition drilling
targeting gold-enriched Zone 1
- Q3 2023 – Commence Phase II 4,000m fully funded drill
program
- Q4 2023 - Inaugural Northwest Expo Zone 1 resource
estimate (targeting 40-50 million tonnes)
- ONGOING - Metallurgical testing results including
Hushamu and Northwest Expo
- ONGOING - Continued progress on relationships with
indigenous rightsholders and local stakeholders
UPCOMING INVESTOR RELATIONS EVENTS
Following the completion of permitting of Northisle’s 2023
exploration activities, the Company will be very active in reaching
out to new and existing investors via virtual and in-person
channels. In addition, the Company intends to host a number of site
visits at the North Island Project in June, July, and August.
External investor events include:
- September 12-15: Precious Metals Summit, Beaver Creek
- September 17-20: Gold Forum Americas, Colorado Springs
- November 13-15: Precious Metals Summit, Zurich
QUALIFIED PERSON
Robin Tolbert, P.Geo., Vice President Exploration of Northisle
and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 –
Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, has approved the
scientific and technical disclosure contained in this news
release.
ABOUT NORTHISLE
Northisle Copper and Gold Inc. is a Vancouver-based company
whose mission is to become Canada’s leading sustainable mineral
resource company for the future. Northisle, through its 100% owned
subsidiary North Island Mining Corp., owns the North Island
Project, which is one of the most promising copper and gold
porphyry projects in Canada. The North Island Project is located
near Port Hardy, British Columbia on a more than 34,000-hectare
block of mineral titles 100% owned by Northisle stretching 50
kilometres northwest from the now closed Island Copper Mine
operated by BHP Billiton. Northisle completed an updated
preliminary economic assessment for the North Island Project in
2021 and is now focused on advancement of the project through a
prefeasibility study while continuing exploration within this
highly prospective land package.
For more information on Northisle please visit the Company’s
website at www.northisle.ca.
Cautionary Statements regarding Forward-Looking
Information
Certain information in this news release constitutes
forward-looking statements under applicable securities law. Any
statements that are contained in this news release that are not
statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking
statements. Forward-looking statements are often identified by
terms such as “may”, “should”, “anticipate”, “expect”, “intend” and
similar expressions. Forward-looking statements in this news
release include, but are not limited to, statements relating to
outcome of exploration programs as well as any other future plans,
objectives or expectations of Northisle. Forward-looking statements
necessarily involve known and unknown risks, including, without
limitation, Northisle’s ability to implement its business
strategies; risks associated with mineral exploration and
production; risks associated with general economic conditions;
adverse industry events; stakeholder engagement; marketing and
transportation costs; loss of markets; volatility of commodity
prices; inability to access sufficient capital from internal and
external sources, and/or inability to access sufficient capital on
favourable terms; industry and government regulation; changes in
legislation, income tax and regulatory matters; competition;
currency and interest rate fluctuations; and other risks. Readers
are cautioned that the foregoing list is not exhaustive.
Readers are further cautioned not to place undue reliance on
forward-looking statements as there can be no assurance that the
plans, intentions, or expectations upon which they are placed will
occur. Such information, although considered reasonable by
management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect
and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated.
Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are
expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.
The forward-looking statements contained in this news release
represent the expectations of management of Northisle as of the
date of this news release, and, accordingly, are subject to change
after such date. Northisle does not undertake any obligation to
update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a
result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as
expressly required by applicable securities law.
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 news release.
View source
version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230525005376/en/
On behalf of Northisle Copper and Gold Inc.
Nicholas Van Dyk, CFA Chief Financial Officer Tel: (604)
638-2515 Email: info@northisle.ca www.northisle.ca
NorthIsle Copper and Gold (TSXV:NCX)
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NorthIsle Copper and Gold (TSXV:NCX)
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から 11 2023 まで 11 2024
