Vancouver-based NorZinc has signed a traditional land use agreement with the Nah?a Deh?(C) Dene Band in Nahanni Butte. The agreement covers the construction and operation of an all season road connecting the Prairie Creek zinc-lead-silver mine and the Liard Highway. The mine is located 200 km west of Fort Simpson.
The agreement codifies the Band's support for an all season road. It is supplemental to the original impact benefits agreement of 2011 that was drawn up when access was anticipated via a winter road.
NorZinc and the Nah?a Deh?(C) Dene Band will establish a committee to oversee both the land use and impact benefit agreements.
A signing ceremony was held on Jan. 15 in Nahanni Butte. A formal ceremony is planned in Vancouver during the AME Roundup 2019 conference at the end of January.
This article originally appeared in the Canadian Mining Journal.