Ya’ thi Néné Lands and Resources (YNLR) has announced the signing of another exploration agreement.
The organization which represents Fond-du-Lac, Black Lake and Hatchet Lake Denesuline First Nations along with the northern communities of Uranium City, Camsell Portage, Wollaston Lake and Stony Rapids, has reached an agreement with Baseload Energy Corporation. Garrett Schmidt, executive director of YNLR explained the recently signed agreement will see the two organizations work together in a range of areas.
“Business contracting opportunities, enhanced employment, contributions to our Athabasca community trust as well as previsions for environmental protection,” he said.
Schmidt said the agreement with Baseload Energy is similar to other ones which YNLR has signed with other companies operating in the far north. Baseload Energy is currently looking to develop a uranium project in the north near of Cree Lake, which is the main focus of the agreement. When it came to the negotiations with the company, Schmidt said overall the talks went well.
“I would say with Baseload it was fairly progressive, I think they definitely recognize the value in establishing a very positive relationship with the communities moving forward,” he said.
Recently YNLR has signed a number of agreements with a few different organizations including the Crown-owned SaskPower. Overall Schmidt said most of the companies which YNLR have signed agreements with are those who are interested in mining projects.
“Majority is uranium focused, but one of our partners, Fortune Bay also has a gold project and there are other interests as well in the basin for different minerals,” he said.
Looking to the future Schmidt said YNLR is in talks with other groups and added more announcements could be coming in the future.
“We anticipating further announcements in the new year,” he said.
(Top Photo courtesy of Ya’ thi Néné Lands and Resources Facebook.)