CHAMPAGNE AND AISHIHIK FIRST NATIONS AND STRATEGIC METALS LTD. ANNOUNCE EXPLORATION AGREEMENT Dakwäkäda (Haines Junction), Yukon Territory
CHAMPAGNE AND AISHIHIK FIRST NATIONS AND STRATEGIC METALS LTD.
ANNOUNCE EXPLORATION AGREEMENT
Dakwäkäda (Haines Junction), Yukon Territory – January 18, 2018 – Champagne and Aishihik
First Nations (“CAFN”) and Strategic Metals Ltd. (TSX -V: SMD) (“Strategic”) are pleased to
announce the signing of an Exploration Agreement.
This landmark a greement provides a framework for consultation pertaining to all exploration
activities undertaken by Strategic within the CAFN Traditional Territory, excluding Category A
and B Lands as defined in the Umbrella Final Agreement . The agreement is particularly
noteworthy because consultation is expected to begin at the earliest stag es of exploration and
continue throughout the duration of the project.
“The Champagne and Aishihik First Nations government is pleased to have this agreement in
place with Strategic Metals,” said Dän natthe ada Kaaxnox (Chief Steve Smith). “ We believe it
is critical that CAFN is involved as a partner in mineral exploration projects in order to ensure
the wise use and management of lands and water in our Traditional Territory, and to support the
development of our communities and our economy. And it is important to ensure CAFN citizens
benefit any time mineral exploration takes place on our lands.”
“Strategic has undertaken to engage with CAFN as soon as claims are acquired in order to
develop cooperative and respectful relationships, identify local business and employment
opportunities, and build support for mineral exploration and development. The ongoing
consultation should make Strategic more aware of CAFN concerns and give CAFN a better
understanding of preferred exploration techniques and the ir alternatives,” states Douglas Eaton,
President and CEO of Strategic. “This Exploration Agreement provides a clear framework for
early stage consultation , and a path forward to develop a more comprehensive cooperation and
benefits agreement, should a project move from exploration to economic evaluation.”
Other key objectives of the Agreement include:
establishing mechanisms under which environmental monitoring of exploration activities
is carried out;
financial benefits of $100,000 paid to CAFN upon signing and an amount equal to 2% of
annual exploration expenditures undertaken within CAFN Traditional Territory;
establishment of an Advisory Committee in order to provide support for exploration
activities and to resolve issues related to implementation of the Agreement; and
setting a framework for long term consultation and if exploration is successful, the
negotiation of a more comprehensive project specific agreement.
2
Strategic currently holds 8 projects within the CAFN Traditional Territories including the
Hopper copper/gold porphyry and skarn project, and the Meloy copper/gold/silver porphyry
project.
For further information about Champagne and
Aishihik First Nations, please visit
http://CAFN.ca or contact:
For further information concerning Strategic or
its various exploration projects please visit our
website at www.strategicmetalsltd.com or
contact:
Media Inquiries
Amy McKinnon
Communications Manager
Champagne and Aishihik First Nations
Tel: (867) 634-4200 ext 237
Corporate Information
W. Douglas Eaton
President and C.E.O.
Tel: (604) 688-2568
Investor and Media Inquiries
Richard Drechsler
V.P. Communications
Tel: (604) 687-2522
NA Toll-Free: (888) 688-2522
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is
defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the
adequacy or accuracy of this release.
This news release may contain forward looking statements based on assumptions and judgments of management
regarding future events or results that may prove to be inaccurate as a result of exploration and other risk factors
beyond its control, and actual results may differ materially from the expected results.