Spanish Mountain Gold Announces Results from Archaeological Impact Assessment: No Concerns Identified in Entire Proposed Project Area
1120‐1095 West Pender Street
Vancouver, British Columbia, V6E 2M6
Tel: 604.601.3651
February 20, 2019
Spanish Mountain Gold Announces Results from Archaeological Impact
Assessment: No Concerns Identified in Entire Proposed Project Area
Vancouver, BC ‐ Spanish Mountain Gold Ltd. (the “Company”) (TSX‐V: SPA) is pleased to
announce the findings and conclusions of the Archaeological Impact Assessment conducted on
the entire project area for its Spanish Mountain gold project (the “Project”) located in British
Columbia, Canada. The results are based on a comprehensive field program performed during
the summer of 2018 by independent archaeological experts in extensive collaboration with field
technicians and heritage specialists representing all three First Nations communities whose
traditional territories encompass the project area.
The Company is appreciative of the participation by the Williams Lake Indian Band, Xatśūll First
Nation and Lhtako Dené Nation and has shared the AIA findings and reports with each band. All
three bands have accepted the reports without raising any issues or concerns. The final reports
have now been filed with the BC Archaeological Branch of the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural
Resource Operations and Rural Development.
Results
The comprehensive survey found that the investigated area has sustained previous disturbance
through extensive forestry‐related and placer mining activities. Specifically, no further
archaeological work is recommended prior to any project activities within the entire project
area where future mining infrastructure has been proposed under the 2017 Preliminary
Economic Assessment.
If the project footprint changes or expands to include unassessed areas, additional AIA work will
be required. While it is not currently anticipated, any ground‐disturbing operations within
previously or newly identified archaeological sites must be conducted under the authority of a
Site Alteration Permit under Heritage Conservation Act Section 12.
AIA Methodology
Prior to the commencement of field work, a desk‐top review was conducted for the entire
assessed areas in order to determine the archaeological potential and guide the subsequent in‐
field assessment. The review utilized topographical data, aerial images, regional archaeological
potential models as well as the Archaeological Branch’s Remote Access to Archaeological Data
(RAAD) application, which identifies previously recorded archaeological sites within or near the
assessed areas.
Field surveys were conducted during summer months of 2018 by crews of five to six members.
Vehicle surveys were performed along existing access roads in locations predicted by the
regional model to have low archaeological potential and the findings of which were also used to
guide the pedestrian survey program.
Under the pedestrian survey program, crew members were spaced at approximately 10 metre
intervals along pedestrian survey transects, all ground exposures encountered were inspected
for archaeological materials, and all trees (all species standing or fallen, including stumps) along
survey transects were examined for indications of cultural modification. The survey was
intensified in areas that are considered to have higher archaeological potential based on
topographic and hydrological terrain features observed in the field. Subsurface tests were
performed in areas of field‐assessed as having moderate to high archaeological potential. The
interval of testing in such areas varied between 3 m to 5 m. Each sample covered an area of at
least 0.35 m by 0.35 m and was shovel‐excavated until sterile matrix was encountered.
Excavated materials were screened through 6 mm mesh for any items of potential
archaeological significance. In total, 826 shovel tests were completed throughout the assessed
areas.
CEO Comments
Larry Yau, CEO, states: “This marks the conclusion of another successful program during 2018,
which delivered tangible benefits for our Project. Given the fact that the field work in proposed
areas cannot and should not start without first completing this time‐intensive program, we have
preempted the potential for delays in future seasonal‐ and weather‐dependent field work and
project activities. Just as important, our continuing collaborations and dialogues with members
of our First Nations communities can help us understand their concerns so that we can
effectively address them.
“We have now achieved a significant milestone in the overall permitting process and have
thereby further de‐risked our project. We are satisfied that the proposed project footprint does
not appear to impact areas that may be of archaeological significance to our First Nations
communities. Spanish Mountain has always been and will remain committed to advancing our
project in an environmentally responsible and culturally respectful manner.”
About Spanish Mountain Gold
Spanish Mountain Gold Ltd is focused on advancing its flagship Spanish Mountain gold project in
southern central British Columbia. The Company has adopted a two‐zone project approach in
which the pit‐delineated high grade core (the First Zone) of the multi‐million ounce resource is
expected to sustain a robust stand‐alone operation exceeding 24 years. The positive economics
of the First Zone have been demonstrated in a Preliminary Economic Assessment completed in
2017. Additionally, the resource ounces not included in the PEA (the Second Zone) present
future opportunities for the project. Additional information about the Company is available on
its website: www.spanishmountaingold.com.
On Behalf of the Board,
SPANISH MOUNTAIN GOLD LTD.
Larry Yau
Chief Executive Officer
Inquiries:
Spanish Mountain Gold Ltd.
Phone: (604) 601‐3651
E‐mail: [email protected]
Website: www.spanishmountaingold.com
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulations Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX
Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
This news release contains forward‐looking information, which involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and
other factors that may cause actual events to differ materially from current expectation. Important factors that could
cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations are disclosed in the Company's documents
filed from time to time on SEDAR. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward‐looking
statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. The company disclaims any intention or obligation,
except to the extent required by law, to update or revise any forward‐looking statements, whether as a result of new
information, future events or otherwise.