Tempus Resources Ltd (ASX:TMR, TSX-V:TMRR) has signed a key exploration agreement with the Stswecem'c Xgat’tem First Nation (SXFN) for future exploration work at the Blackdome Gold Project, in southwest British Columbia, Canada.
Blackdome is within SXFN Traditional Territory about 230 kilometres NNW of Vancouver and 30 kilometres north of Tempus’ Elizabeth Project. The mine produced approximately 230,000 ounces of gold at an average mill head grade of 22 g/t gold during the period from 1985 to 1991.
Tempus president and CEO Jason Bahnsen said, “The recognition of the traditional territories and rights of First Nations is paramount to the success of our mineral exploration projects.
“Tempus is delighted to have executed this important agreement that provides certainty for the company and a variety of cultural heritage and environmental protections as well as commercial benefits for the Stswecem'c Xgat’tem people.”
Mutually beneficial exploration
As TMR ramps up exploration, the Exploration Agreement between Tempus and SXFN will ensure that all exploration activities at Blackdome are conducted for the mutual benefit of the Stswecem’c Xgat’tem First Nations and Tempus shareholders.
TMR recognises the importance of the environment and cultural heritage within the Stswecem’c Xgat’tem Traditional Territory and thus, the Exploration Agreement includes business, employment and training opportunities for Stswecem’c Xgat’tem members.
The company understands the requirements and necessity for these types of agreements, having executed an exploration agreement with the Xwisten First Nation in 2020 in relation to the ongoing exploration program at the Elizabeth Gold Project.
More about Blackdome
The Blackdome project includes a permitted 200 tonnes per day process plant and associated tailings storage facility.
A metallurgical review completed by Tempus, has shown that the Blackdome process plant will achieve high recoveries (up to approximately 95%) processing Blackdome and Elizabeth mineralised material.
In 2020, Tempus completed an initial 5,000 metre exploration drilling program at the Blackdome mine.
An alteration study completed in August 2021 has indicated that historical mining and previous exploration drilling was restricted to the upper portion of the paleo epithermal system and there is strong potential for identifying additional mineralisation below historic mined stopes and to the west of known vein sets.