Skeena Announces Positive Judgment by the British Columbia Court of Appeal Regarding the Albino Lake Storage Facility
Skeena Announces Positive Judgment by the British Columbia Court
of Appeal Regarding the Albino Lake Storage Facility
Vancouver, BC (July 5, 2024) Skeena Resources Limited (TSX: SKE, NYSE: SKE) (“Skeena” or
the “Company ”) is pleased to announce that the British Columbia Court of Appeal overturned the
decision of the Chief Gold Commissioner and Supreme Court of British Columbia in the matter, Skeena
Resources Limited v Richard Mill, the Chief Gold Commissioner of British Columbia and Orogenic
Gold Corp.
The former Chief Gold Commissioner had determined that Richard Mill was the owner of the waste
rock and tailings from the Eskay Creek Mine that were placed in the Albino Lake Storage Facility (the
“Eskay Creek Material”). Justice Iyer of the British Columbia Supreme Court upheld the decision of
the Chief Gold Commissioner on November 22, 2022.
The Court of Appeal concluded that on the record before it, Skeena did not “relinquish” its rights to the
Eskay Creek Material and that the former Chief Gold Commissioner was “clearly and palpably wrong
to hold otherwise ”. Mr. Mill’s asserted entitlement was based on the Province’s grant of a mineral
claim to him in 2017. The Court, however, found that the Province cannot be said to have granted
ownership rights of the Eskay Creek Material to Mr. Mill when it granted him the mineral claim because
the Province itself did not hold the rights to the material at the time.
With the decisions of the former Chief Gold Commissioner and the Supreme Court now overturned,
the matter will be referred back to the current Chief Gold Commissioner for rehearing and
reconsideration in light of the Court of Appeal’s decision.
Skeena Resources is pleased with the decision of the Court of Appeal and looks forward to the
opportunity to have the Chief Gold Commissioner decide Skeena’s contention that it owns the Eskay
Creek Material. Skeena Resources will provide further information on this matter as it becomes
available.
Walter Coles, Executive Chairman of Skeena commented: “We are gratified by the ruling from the BC
Court of Appeal. This decision is a strong one and affirms our belief that the former Chief Gold
Commissioner was in error when he decided that Skeena gave up its ownership of the waste material
from the Eskay Creek mine once it was deposited into the Albino Lake tailings storage facility.”
The Eskay Creek Material contained in the Albino Lake Storage Facility is not part of the Company’s
Resource or Reserve Statements for Eskay Creek nor has it been included in any studies, including
the November 2023 Definitive Feasibility Study for the Eskay Creek Project.
About Skeena
Skeena is a fully financed leading gold developer that is focused on advancing the Eskay Creek Gold-
Silver Project – a past producing mine located in the renowned Golden Triangle in British Columbia,
Canada. Eskay Creek represents one of the highest -grade and lowest cost open-pit precious metals
mines in the world, with substantial silver by -product production that surpas ses many primary silver
NR: 24-07 | July 5, 2024
mines. Skeena is committed to sustainable mining practices and maximizing the potential of its mineral
resources. In partnership with the Tahltan First Nation, Skeena strives to foster positive relationships
with Indigenous communities while delivering lon g-term value and sustainable growth for its
stakeholders.
On behalf of the Board of Directors of Skeena Resources Limited,
Walter Coles Randy Reichert
Executive Chairman President & CEO
Contact Information
Investor Inquiries: [email protected]
Office Phone: +1 604 684 8725
Company Website: www.skeenaresources.com
Qualified Persons
In accordance with National Instrument 43 -101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, Paul
Geddes, P.Geo., Senior Vice President, Exploration & Resource Development, is the Qualified Person
for the Company and has prepared, validated, and approved th e technical and scientific content of
this news release. The Company strictly adheres to CIM Best Practices Guidelines in conducting,
documenting, and reporting the exploration activities on its projects.
Cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements
Certain statements and information contained or incorporated by reference in this press release constitute “forward-looking
information” and “forward -looking statements” within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities
legislation (collectively, “forward-looking statements”). These statements relate to future events or our future performance.
The use of words such as “anticipates”, “believes”, “proposes”, “contemplates”, “generates”, “targets”, “is proj ected”, “is
planned”, “considers”, “estimates”, “expects”, “is expected”, “potential” and similar expressions, or statements that certain
actions, events or results “may”, “might”, “will”, “could”, or “would” be taken, achieved, or occur, may identify forw ard-
looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. Specific forward-
looking statements contained herein include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the rehearing and reconsideration
of the claim regarding the Eskay Creek Material, the results of the Definitive Feasibility Study, processing capacity of the
mine, anticipated mine life, probable reserves, estimated project capital and operating costs, sustaining costs, results of
test work and studies, planned environmental assessments, the future price of metals, metal concentrate, and future
exploration and development. Such forward -looking statements are based on material factors and/or assumptions which
include, but are not limited to, t he estimation of mineral resources and reserves, the realization of resource and reserve
estimates, metal prices, taxation, the estimation, timing and amount of future exploration and development, capital and
operating costs, the availability of financing, the receipt of regulatory approvals, environmental risks, title disputes and the
assumptions set forth herein and in the Company’s MD&A for the year ended December 31, 2023, its most recently filed
interim MD&A, and the Company’s Annual Information Form ( “AIF”) dated March 28 , 2024. Such forward -looking
statements represent the Company’s management expectations, estimates and projections regarding future events or
circumstances on the date the statements are made, and are necessarily based on several estim ates and assumptions
that, while considered reasonable by the Company as of the date hereof, are not guarantees of future performance. Actual
events and results may differ materially from those described herein, and are subject to significant operational, business,
economic, and regulatory risks and uncertainties. The risks and uncertainties that may affect the forward -looking
statements in this news release include, among others: the inherent risks involved in exploration and development of
mineral propert ies, including permitting and other government approvals; changes in economic conditions, including
changes in the price of gold and other key variables; changes in mine plans and other factors, including accidents,
equipment breakdown, bad weather and oth er project execution delays, many of which are beyond the control of the
Company; environmental risks and unanticipated reclamation expenses; and other risk factors identified in the Company’s
MD&A for the year ended December 31, 202 3, its most recently fi led interim MD&A, the AIF dated March 28, 2024, the
Company’s short form base shelf prospectus dated January 31, 2023, and in the Company’s other periodic filings with
securities and regulatory authorities in Canada and the United States that are available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca
or on EDGAR at www.sec.gov.
Readers should not place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement speaks only
as of the date on which it is made and the Company does not undertake any obligations to update and/or revise any
forward-looking statements except as required by applicable securities laws.