Apr 6 2015
Pretium Resources Inc. and the Nisga'a Nation are pleased to announce that they have entered into a comprehensive Cooperation and Benefits Agreement in respect of Pretivm's Brucejack Project located in northwest British Columbia.
The Agreement establishes a long-term, mutually-beneficial relationship between Pretivm and the Nisga'a Nation, who have rights and interests as defined by the Nisga'a Final Agreement in the Nass Area where portions of the Project are located.
Under the terms of the Agreement, the Nisga'a Nation will provide ongoing support for the development and operation of Brucejack as a safe, environmentally sound mine with participation in its economic benefits, and Pretivm will honour commitments to the Nisga'a Nation regarding jobs and contracting opportunities at the Project, education and training and financial payments.
"Nisga'a Nation strives for sustainable prosperity and self-reliance," stated President H. Mitchell Stevens, "and the benefits from the Brucejack project will make an important contribution towards our improved quality of life. Our Treaty brings certainty to this type of development and we look forward to working with Pretivm."
"We are pleased that a strong relationship with the Nisga'a Nation has grown out of our work with them over the last four years," said Pretivm President and CEO Robert Quartermain. "We look forward to their collaboration as we advance Brucejack to production."
The Agreement provides for communication, collaboration and cooperation between Pretivm and the Nisga'a Nation. Highlights include:
- Nisga'a Nation collaboration with Pretivm in support of the completion of the operational permitting process for the Project and subsequent regulatory authorizations;
- Financial payments by Pretivm to the Nisga'a Nation upon the achievement of certain Project milestones, and annual production payments based on a percentage of net profits;
- Pretivm's commitment to education and training of Nisga'a citizens so that they will be better able to take advantage of the economic benefits the Project offers;
- A framework for the Nisga'a Nation and Pretivm to work together to achieve employment targets and to ensure Nisga'a businesses will have preferred access to contracting opportunities;
- Mutual cooperation on responding to social impacts which Nisga'a Villages may experience as a result of the Project.