SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY: Spanish Mountain, Williams Lake band sign protocol for gold project

BRITISH COLUMBIA - Vancouver-based Spanish Mountain Gold and the Williams Lake Indian Band (WLIB) has signed a protocol agreement for the Spanish Mountain gold project near Likely. The agreement was signed on March 14, 2011.

WLIB's Chief Ann Louie said after the signing, "We are pleased to conclude this agreement, and by the show of support in our community, I think it demonstrates that First Nations and private industry can work together positively and co-operatively and seek to find mutually beneficial common ground. We just need to make sure that we move forward in a fashion that is environmentally sensible and respectful of our traditional uses of the land."

The agreement provides capacity support to WLIB for its ongoing involvement in the Spanish Mountain project as well as training, employment, and business opportunities. Additionally, the band and Spanish Mountain have committed to negotiate a more detailed agreement regarding the impacts and benefits associated with the construction, operation and reclamation of a large scale mine development.

Read the preliminary economic assessment prepared in December 2010 at www.SpMtGold.com.