GBN: TSX Venture Exchange
SASKATOON and LA RONGE, SK, Aug. 24 /CNW/ - Golden Band Resources Inc. is
pleased to announce that the La Ronge Gold Project Surface Lease Agreement
2009 has been signed with the Government of Saskatchewan. The province is
represented in the Agreement by the Ministry of First Nations and Metis
Relations and by the Ministry of Environment. Golden Band entered into the
Agreement via its wholly owned subsidiary, Jolu Development Corporation (JDC).
The Surface Lease includes the three parcels of land, totalling approximately
278 hectares, which encompass the Bingo deposit, the Komis and EP deposits,
and the Jolu mill site. The initial term of the surface lease is until May 31,
2030. In the Surface Lease Agreement, JDC and the Province acknowledge that it
does not abrogate or derogate from any existing rights of Aboriginal peoples
of northern Saskatchewan. The Surface Lease addresses a range of issues,
including land tenure, environmental protection measures, occupational health
and safety provisions, and socioeconomic benefits for northerners.
"Golden Band is extremely pleased and gratified to have secured this
agreement", stated Rodney Orr, Company President and CEO. Golden Band is
delighted with the depth and extent of cooperation provided by the Provincial
departments involved, not only in the conclusion of the Surface Lease
Agreement, but also in the various regulatory and permitting requirements that
we have been engaged in over the past two years. This major milestone in our
plans for the La Ronge Gold Project demonstrates our positive relationship
with the Province and with our neighbours, including the Lac La Ronge Indian
Band, on whose traditional lands we are working. This cooperative approach is
a continuation of the Memorandum of Understanding as was signed with the Band
in 2007, and reinforces our strong relationship based on the advancement of
exploration and mining by Golden Band in ways that are mutually beneficial to
both Golden Band and the Band. We are most fortunate to have the support of
the Lac La Ronge Indian Band for our project."
"We are very pleased that Golden Band is moving ahead together with First
Nations, Metis and Northern municipalities," said Bill Hutchinson Minister of
First Nations and Metis Relations and Minister responsible for Northern
Affairs. "This partnership will develop an important mineral resource and
provide opportunities for residents of Northern Saskatchewan to participate.
The provincial government will ensure that mining continues with an emphasis
on local economic development benefits and environmental stewardship."
Chief Tammy Cook-Searson, Chief of the Lac La Ronge Indian Band, said
that "Today is a very important day for our future. The Surface Lease
Agreement between the Province and Golden Band Resources is an important step
to support positive relationships between the Lac La Ronge Indian Band, the
Province and Industry. While our traditional territories encompass a large
part of the province, the gold belt is at the center. Our band members have
hunted, fished and trapped that area for centuries as they do today.
