Appia Rare Earths & Uranium Corp. (CSE:API, OTCQB:APAAF) has appointed Dr John Belhumeur as senior advisor for the First Nations, Metis, and government relations, as the company advances its exploration program.
The Toronto-based company is currently focused on delineating high-grade critical rare earth elements and gallium on its 100% owned Alces Lake property, as well as exploring for high-grade uranium in the prolific Athabasca Basin on its other properties.
Dr Belhumeur has served as an advisor and consultant to Appia Rare Earth since March 2021. He has spent over three decades as a consultant for Aboriginal affairs regarding project development in the resource industry, coordinating between Aboriginal citizens, resource companies, and various levels of government.
According to the company, Dr Belhumeur has worked on many projects, from the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process through to the construction and operation phases of a mine.
Coming from St Lazare and Pine Creek in Manitoba, Dr Belhumeur's Cree/Ojibwa ancestry gives him first-hand knowledge of the indigenous experience, lending a deeper understanding of issues facing Aboriginal people. Dr Belhumeur believes in protecting the environment, using traditional, ecological knowledge and sustainable mineral development.
"Appia welcomes Dr Belhumeur to the Appia Rare Earths team to assist the company in presenting a respectful dialogue with First Nations, local governments, and stakeholders on a wide array of reciprocal interests," Appia CEO Tom Drivas said in a statement.
Dr Belhumeur is the founder and publisher of The Aboriginal Miner, in partnership with The Prospector Resource Investment News. He was one of the first publishers to endorse mining, hydro, oil and gas, alternative energy, and other resource development projects in Canada, believing that it would bring employment, training, and prosperity to indigenous communities.
Contact the author Uttara Choudhury at uttara@proactiveinvestors.com
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