Hawthorne Gold and Kaska Dena Council Sign Resource Funding Agreement
Wednesday September 2, 2009, 8:30 am EDT
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - Sept. 2, 2009) - Hawthorne Gold Corp. ("Hawthorne" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE:HGC - News; PINK SHEETS:HWTHF - News) is pleased to announce that it has entered into a Resource Funding Agreement (the "Agreement") with the Kaska Dena Council on behalf of the BC Kaska in connection with the continued exploration and development of the Company's Cassiar Gold Camp near Cassiar, British Columbia. Under the Agreement, Hawthorne has agreed to provide resource funding to the BC Kaska to contribute to the cost of negotiating a Traditional Knowledge Protocol (the "TK Agreement") and a detailed Socio-Economic Participation Agreement (the "SEPA"). In addition, a $10,000 donation will be made to the Kaska youth cultural preservation programs.
With respect to the current and ongoing exploration and development of Hawthorne's Table Mountain & Taurus Projects, Hawthorne and the Dease River Indian Band currently operate under a Memorandum of Understanding (the "MOU") which has been in place since August 18, 2006. Going forward, Hawthorne and the BC Kaska both wish to finalize a TK Protocol, which will assist the parties in establishing the appropriate traditional knowledge protocols for the exploration and development of the Cassiar Gold Property. As well, and as part of the continued development and expansion of the mine infrastructure for the Cassiar Gold Mine, Hawthorne and the BC Kaska wish to conclude a SEPA which would include environmental, cultural and socio-economic and business opportunities and benefits, including employment and training, for members of the BC Kaska and their businesses.
"Hawthorne continues to work closely with the local First Nations in our operating area and is very pleased to finalize the Resource Funding Agreement. This agreement will enable the Company and the BC Kaska to move forward with a Traditional Knowledge TK Protocol and a SEPA, which we believe will foster economic growth opportunities to the region and provide assurance for the continued exploration and development of Hawthorne's Cassiar Gold Camp," commented Richard Barclay, President and CEO of Hawthorne.
George Miller, Chair of the Kaska Dena Council, stated that, "The Kaska Dena consider the signing of this Agreement to not only be a constructive development for our relationship with the mining community, but it can be a catalyst towards further Aboriginal nation-building. We will be a stronger nation by acting together. We want to see healthy communities, environmental compliance and meaningful investment in Kaska territory, including infrastructure development, and not at the expense of our culture and social integrity. Such Agreements are examples of substantive accommodation that can benefit citizens at the community level."
Mr. Miller said further, "The BC Kaska First Nations will continue to develop their beneficial relationship with Hawthorne Gold Corp. This Resource Funding Agreement will be another stepping stone to mutual recognition and respect. We anticipate positive benefits and opportunities for our citizens. The BC Kaska Dena will maintain and further our socio-economic vision with a sustainable economic development that provides meaningful incentives, benefits and business and economic opportunities for Kaska citizens."
About Hawthorne Gold Corp.
Hawthorne Gold Corp. is a Canadian-based gold exploration and development company with key properties in British Columbia, Canada. Hawthorne is led by well-respected mining leaders Richard Barclay and Michael Beley. Hawthorne's goal is to become a junior gold producer by working towards production at Cassiar Gold Mine in Q4 2009 / Q1 2010 and to continue resource development of the nearby Taurus deposit, as well as the Frasergold deposit in the south central British Columbia Cariboo region. Hawthorne continues to review potential acquisitions, focusing on high quality, advanced gold development opportunities.
ON BEHALF OF HAWTHORNE GOLD CORP. Richard J. Barclay, President & CEO
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