Treasury Metals signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) in relation to the company's Goliath Gold Project, east of Dryden in northwestern Ontario.
The MOU is considered a framework cooperation agreement with the MNO, including the Atikokan Métis Community Council, the Kenora Métis Community Council, the Northwest Métis Community Council and the Sunset Country Métis Community Council which represent the regional rights-bearing Métis communities in the Treaty 3 area. That area takes in the Métis traditional territories of Lake of the Woods, Lac Seul, Rainy River and Rainy Lake.
The company said the document provides the Métis community with an opportunity to participate in the project through employment, training, business development and ongoing consultation involving the mining project.
"Our objective is to work together with all of our stakeholders and Indigenous communities as we work towards bringing the Goliath Gold Project into production,” said Treasury president-CEO Chris Stewart in a Dec. 18 news release.
“We are looking forward to working with the Métis Community. Their experience and local knowledge will be invaluable in helping us create a socially responsible project that will benefit the communities, the project, and all stakeholders as we move forward."
Métis regional councillor and chair of regional consultation committee Theresa Stenlund added the agreement provides for “effective communications and coordination” with the company.
“We look forward to our work together through the relationship that has been established between the MNO and Treasury Metals." T
reasury Metals’ cornerstone development is the Goliath Gold Project, a future open-pit and underground gold mine, 20 kilometres east of Dryden.
The company is working on a feasibility study for Goliath while undertaking a 30,000-metre drilling program. Treasury’s schedule shows mine construction beginning in 2019 with gold production starting a year later.
