Standard Uranium Ltd (TSX-V:STND, OTCQB:STTDF) said it has signed an exploration agreement that formalizes its relationship with various native communities for meaningful participation in projects conducted on their traditional lands, employment opportunities and financial returns.
The agreement is with Ya’ thi Néné Lands and Resources (YNLR), together with the Hatchet Lake Denesułiné First Nation, Black Lake Denesułiné First Nation, Fond du Lac Denesułiné First Nation - the Athabasca First Nations - and the Northern Hamlet of Stony Rapids, the Northern Settlement of Uranium City, the Northern Settlement of Wollaston Lake and the Northern Settlement of Camsell Portage. collectively known as the Basin Communities.
“Standard Uranium is committed to responsible stewardship of the environment, and building meaningful, mutually beneficial relationships with project communities,” Jon Bey, CEO of Standard Uranium said in a statement.
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“We are pleased to have reached this Agreement with the Basin Communities, which formalizes those commitments and provides consent and support for our current and future activities. Through this Agreement, we look forward to building upon the relationships we have established with the communities and local businesses, as we advance our uranium exploration projects in the Athabasca Basin," Bey added.
The company said the agreement establishes provisions for information-sharing, permitting processes, and environmental protection and monitoring. YNLR will oversee the implementation of the agreement and its Community Land Technicians will provide active site monitoring.
The agreement also confirms the company’s commitment to environmental sustainability, creating employment and training opportunities in the region, and contributing towards the socio-economic health of the seven Athabasca communities.
Ya' thi Néné is a non-profit organization owned by the seven Athabasca Basin communities of Hatchet Lake Denesułiné First Nation, Black Lake Denesułiné First Nation, Fond du Lac Denesułiné First Nation and the municipalities of Stony Rapids, Uranium City, Wollaston Lake, and Camsell Portage. Ya’ thiNéné works on behalf of the Athabasca Basin communities to protect the best interests of the people and the land.
Archie Disain, YNLR board of director for Black Lake Denesųłiné First Nation said: “Ya’ thi Néné is dedicated to the environmental and socio-economic sustainability of Nuhenéné (traditional territory of the Athabasca communities) and to protecting the best interests of the Athabasca Basin residents.
“This Agreement demonstrates the community’s support for Standard Uranium’s projects and in return the Athabasca communities will meaningfully participate and benefit from their projects happening in Nuhenéné. We want to work with partners like Standard Uranium who acknowledge our rights and value our communities.”
Standard Uranium is a uranium exploration company with a focus on the world-class Athabasca Basin in Saskatchewan, Canada. Since its establishment, Standard Uranium has focused on the identification and exploration of Athabasca-style uranium targets with a view to discovery and future development.
Contact the author at jon.hopkins@proactiveinvestors.com