Scottie Resources (TSX-V:SCOT) has reached a capacity funding agreement with the Nisga’a Nation, providing the foundation for the company to support the development of the Scottie Gold Mine in Canada. 

The agreement will allow Scottie to advance a permitting review, as well as begin negotiations towards an impact benefit agreement. 

As part of the funding agreement, Nisga’a Nation will be provided funding to support the technical review through independent consultants, as well as cover the legal costs related to negotiating an impact benefit agreement (IBA). 

The IBA will be a formal agreement between both parties that addresses potential impacts from the project to Nisga’a Treaty rights and interests and defines how the Nisga’a Nation will participate in and share in the project’s benefits. 

Scottie says this agreement is expected to support a more efficient provincial permitting process, recognising the crown’s duty to ensure meaningful consultation with and mitigation to potential impacts to Indigenous Peoples when issuing permits. 

President of Nisga’a Lisims Government (NLG) Eva Clayton says the agreement is an “important step” in facilitating the nation’s continued engagement with Scottie in respect of its namesake gold mine. 

“We look forward to continuing this work as the parties move toward negotiation of an impact benefit agreement,” Clayton says. 

CEO Thomas Mumford says entering into the agreement and advancing the interaction matrix represent milestones achieved in the engagement. 

“We value the strong working relationship we have built with the NLG and look forward to continuing this collaboration as we progress towards an IBA,” Mumford says. 

Scottie Resources holds 100% interest in the Scottie Gold Mine Property, which includes the past-producing Scottie Gold Mine and the adjacent Blueberry Contact Zone. The Company also owns a 100% interest in the Georgia Project, host to the past-producing Georgia River Mine, as well as the Cambria, Sulu, and Tide North properties. 

Write to Aaliyah Rogan at Mining.com.au   

Images: Scottie Resources