ACME Lithium Inc revealed that it has inked an exploration agreement with Sagkeeng First Nation to lay the groundwork for mutually beneficial development of mineral properties within the Sagkeeng Traditional Territory.
"ACME acknowledges and respects the rights and values of the Sagkeeng First Nation, and we are committed to building an open and transparent relationship founded on regular dialogue. We look forward to working together over the years ahead," ACME Lithium CEO Steve Hanson said in a statement.
According to the Vancouver-based mineral exploration company focused on acquiring, exploring, and developing battery metal projects, the agreement provides both parties with the groundwork to develop a mutually beneficial relationship that addresses environmental and cultural matters. It also focuses on economic benefits through services, education and job creation, with fairness and in recognition of Sagkeeng's long history on their traditional territory.
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The agreement will develop a positive relationship that promotes mutual respect, cooperation, and ongoing communication, according to ACME.
Chief Derrick Henderson of Sagkeeng noted that the Sagkeeng First Nation supports “responsible and respectful resource development in our territory.”
The Sagkeeng First Nation is an Anicinabe Nation with around 8,000 members, many of whom live on Sagkeeng's reserve on the Winnipeg River at the shore of Lake Winnipeg.
“ACME has demonstrated its willingness to respect our rights and interests, and its conduct is an example of how industry can work with us for everyone's benefit. We look forward to continuing to grow our relationship with ACME," said Chief Henderson.
ACME currently has three mineral exploration projects located in the northern and southern limbs of the Bird River Greenstone Belt. The project claims are comprised of 21 claims totaling 8,883 acres in the Shatford Lake pegmatite field, 10 claims totaling 5,196 acres near Birse Lake, and six claims totaling 2,930 acres in the Cat-Euclid Lake shear zone.
The region hosts hundreds of individual pegmatite bodies, many of which are classified as complex rare-element lithium-cesium-tantalum pegmatites - known to account for a quarter of the world's lithium production.
ACME said it is in the process of completing an extensive summer evaluation program at both Shatford, Birse, and Cat-Euclid Lakes to localize targets for drilling.
Contact the author Uttara Choudhury at uttara@proactiveinvestors.com
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