UPSALA - A Vancouver exploration company looking for copper, gold and platinum group metals has inked a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with a northwestern Ontario First Nation.
VR Resources announced Dec. 9 it signed the MOU with Lac des Mille Lacs First Nation for its Empire, Silverback and Rambler projects, west of Upsala. The projects are considered within the territorial land of the Indigenous community.
The company said in a Dec. 9 news release that there will be benefit-sharing opportunities with the First Nation by way of business spinoffs, training and jobs for Indigenous members to participate through on the exploration program.
This month, VR has started a winter drill program at Empire, located 170 kilometres west of Thunder Bay. A prospector first noticed signs of mineralization in a rock cut on the TransCanada Highway on what has become a 7,500-hectare assembled land package. VR said the area has seen little exploration activity in the past.
“This MOU reflects a mutual desire for VR and (Lac des Milles Lacs) to work together in a collaborative, mutually beneficial, and respectful manner with the shared goals of social, ecological, cultural and economic well-being,” said company CEO Justin Daley in a statement.
The company said it looks forward to working in partnership with the First Nation throughout exploration and appreciates the support for its projects.
