Canadian exploration and development company Hawthorne Gold (TSX: HGC) struck a deal with the Kaska Aboriginal nation adjacent to its Cassiar Gold Camp in British Columbia to advance the negotiations of two other important agreements outlining Hawthorne’s involvement in social, cultural and economic development of the Kaska territory.
Under the terms of the Resource Funding Agreement with the Kaska Dena Council, Hawthorne will provide funding to the BC Kaska to contribute to the cost of negotiating a Traditional Knowledge Protocol and a detailed Socio-Economic Participation Agreement in connection with the exploration and development of its Cassiar Gold Camp in British Columbia.
Hawthorne Gold said it was looking for “assurance” for the continued exploration of the Cassiar project, also agreeing to make a C$10,000 donation to the nation’s youth cultural preservation programs.
Kaska’s representatives said they sought “meaningful investment” into the territory’s infrastructure as well as business and economic opportunities for Kaska citizens, but not at the expense of cultural and social integrity.