News and event information for Williams Lake, BC - as it happens.

Williams Lake Indian Band (“WLIB”) and Mount Polley Mining Corporation (“MPMC”) today announced the conclusion of a Participation Agreement. The historic agreement addresses issues in relation to WLIB’s assertion of title and rights in the area in which MPMC operates, and establishes a cooperative and mutually respectful working relationship which will allow both parties to meet their respective obligations and protect their rights, values and interests.

The Participation Agreement addresses a number of topics, from education and training, employment and contracting, to environmental management. The agreement will afford additional opportunities at Mount Polley Mine to WLIB members, and will see MPMC contributing funding for first nations scholarships, bursaries and other WLIB community projects.

“We are extremely pleased to conclude this agreement with Mount Polley Mining Corporation,” states WLIB Chief Anne Louie. “Mt. Polley has been in operation in our territory for some fifteen years, and the Participation Agreement allows us to have some certainty about our relationship with MPMC for at least the next five years. We commend Mt. Polley for addressing issues in relation to aboriginal title and rights, and are hopeful that this agreement will see us working collaboratively for the remainder of the life of the mine. We are also very happy with the emphasis that Mt. Polley has placed on education and training and the development of our members. Legacy agreements of this kind are rare, but the conclusion of this agreement demonstrates that through hard work and commitment, an agreement can be reached.”

“On behalf of everyone at Mount Polley Mine and Imperial Metals Corporation, I want to express how happy we are that we have concluded this agreement,” states Brian Kynoch, President and CEO of Imperial Metals Corporation. “It represents an important evolution in our relationship with the Williams Lake Indian Band. I also want to thank Chief Ann Louie, her Council and her staff for all their efforts toward reaching this important agreement.”

“I am confident this agreement represents only the beginning of a long and mutually beneficial relationship,” adds Mount Polley Mine Manager Tim Fisch, “I look forward to working together with the Williams Lake Indian band on its implementation.”

The parties will celebrate the completion of the Participation Agreement at a signing ceremony on February 6, 2012. Several members of the provincial cabinet are expected to be in attendance for the ceremony.

Implementation of the agreement will begin immediately, and will be administered through an Implementation Committee consisting of representatives of both WLIB and MPMC.

For more information on the WLIB/MPMC agreements, please contact Kirk Dressler, Williams Lake Indian Band Economic Development Officer, at (250) 296-3507 or Tim Fisch, General Manager, Mount Polley Mining Corporation, at (250) 790-2215.

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