Tahltan Nation and Coeur Mining Inc. Jan. 19 announced the signing of a comprehensive impact and benefit agreement in connection with Coeur's Silvertip silver-zinc-lead mine located in Northern British Columbia.

This agreement provides a framework for a mutually beneficial and long-term relationship between the Tahltan First Nation and Coeur Silvertip, and supports Coeur's commitment to socially and environmentally responsible mining.

"We are honored to have the Tahltan Nation's support for Silvertip and take our commitments to uphold Tahltan values, including respect for the land, very seriously," said Coeur Mining Chief Development Officer Terry Smith. "The IBA (impact-benefit agreement) lays the foundation for a strong partnership and shared benefits between Coeur Silvertip and the Tahltan Nation by aligning our interests across several key measures of success at Silvertip, including environmental protection, employment, and economic opportunities for surrounding First Nations communities and financial returns, among others. This agreement is also an important step towards a potential restart and expansion of operating activities at Silvertip."

Coeur suspended production at Silvertip early in 2020 to accelerate investment in exploration and mill expansion at this Northern BC mine. Much of the work carried out at Silvertip is focused on expanding high-grade deposits and extending its mine life. A feasibility study for the expanded mine is expected to be finalized this summer and Coeur anticipates restart of the Silvertip Mine by the end of the year.

The impact-benefit agreement will lay a foundation for ensuring the renewed Silvertip Mine provides jobs and other economic benefits for the local First Nation people while also addressing any concerns they may have.

"The Tahltan Central Government is very pleased to establish an IBA with Coeur Silvertip for the Silvertip mine located in the northern portion of Tahltan Territory," said Tahltan Central Government President Chad Day. "Our nation will work collaboratively and in partnership with the company to fully implement this agreement immediately. We have a shared vision of empowering Tahltan workers, entrepreneurs and companies while working together to mitigate the mine's impacts to our Tahltan Territory, culture and values."

In addition to the Tahltan Central Government, the administrative governing body for the Tahltan Nation, the Iskut and Tahltan bands of Northern BC also signed the IBA with Coeur Silvertip.

"I am happy that we have signed an IBA with Coeur Silvertip that ensures our Tahltan environmental concerns and economic interests are respected," said Iskut Band Council Chief Marie Quock.

"The signing of this IBA is another step towards building a strong relationship with Coeur Silvertip, a relationship that will benefit our people and our communities," added Tahltan Chief Carmen McPhee.

To ensure that the Tahltan workers have the skills for good paying jobs at Silvertip and other mineral projects across Northern BC, Tahltan Central Government signed a memorandum of understanding with Industry Training Authority to increase sponsorship for individuals pursuing an apprenticeship in the trades, which will lead to community-based training opportunities in Tahltan Territory.

"With approximately 41% of BC's exploration activities by expenditure in Tahltan Territory, trades and apprenticeships are in high demand. With the signing of this MOU, it has now become a whole lot easier for Tahltans, who want to become tradespeople, to achieve their goals of a brighter future," said Day.

Tahltan Central Government recently launched OnTrack, an online tool that connects Tahltan community members with fulfilling careers. The tool lists several career opportunities at Silvertip, as well as Eskay Creek, Red Chris, Brucejack, and other mineral projects in Northern BC. More information on this career opportunities tool can be found at https://ontrack.tahltan.org/.

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Shane Lasley, Publisher

Over his more than 16 years of covering mining and mineral exploration, Shane has become renowned for his ability to report on the sector in a way that is technically sound enough to inform industry insiders while being easy to understand by a wider audience.

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