CRANBROOK, BC / ACCESSWIRE / November 6, 2024 / Eagle Plains Resources Ltd. (TSXV:EPL) or ("Eagle Plains") and the Ya'thi Néné Lands and Resource Office ("YNLR"), representing the Athabasca Denesułiné First Nations of Hatchet Lake, Black Lake, and Fond du Lac, the Northern Hamlet of Stony Rapids, and the Northern Settlements of Uranium City, Wollaston Lake and Camsell Portage, arepleased to announcethat they have recently signed an Exploration Agreement (the "Agreement"). This partnership will support mineral exploration in Nuhenéné, the traditional territory of the Athabasca First Nations in Treaty 8 and Treaty 10 Territories.
The Agreement recognizes Eagle Plains' commitment to building a mutually beneficial relationship with the Athabasca communities. Guided by YNLR's vision for economic growth, environmental stewardship, and cultural preservation, the Agreement promotes employment, training opportunities, and respect for local practices, aligning with Eagle Plains' dedication to responsible exploration practices.
"We welcome this opportunity to work collaboratively in ensuring that our land, water, and cultural values are prioritized," said Mary Denechezhe, Board Chair of Ya'thi Néné Lands and Resources. "Through this partnership, we are building not only economic opportunities but a framework that strengthens the community voices in protecting our traditional territory for future generations."
The Agreement enables active participation from Basin Communities through opportunities for employment and training, contracting with northern businesses, contributions to YNLR's community trust, and harvester compensation. Regular communication between Eagle Plains and YNLR will directly inform exploration permitting, environmental monitoring and program implementation, with YNLR's Community Land Technicians providing on-site oversight and assessment of exploration activities.
Eagle Plains has been active in the Saskatchewan uranium exploration space since 2006, currently holding a 100% interest in 19 individual projects comprising a total of approximately 54,598 ha of mineral dispositions covering both basement and unconformity hosted uranium targets. The projects range from early-stage grassroots to drill-ready and are distributed throughout the prospective Athabasca Basin including the Patterson Lake South (PLS), Beaverlodge, and Dufferin-Centennial camps. The Exploration Agreement covers six individual projects - Gulch, Lorado, Beaver River, Black Bay, Don Lake, and Smitty - in the Lake Athabasca region, which are under option to Xcite Resources Inc. (TSXV:XRI).
Chuck Downie, CEO of Eagle Plains commented "We are honoured to have the support of the Basin Communities as we advance our exploration projects. Eagle Plains will continue to build respectful and beneficial relationships with all of the Athabasca communities that we work in. Protection of land and water and direct participation from people who live in our project areas is paramount to our success. The Exploration Agreement will provide a path for a long-term partnership between Eagle Plains, YNLR, and the Basin Communities and ensuremeaningful participation in projects that are conducted on their traditional lands."
About YNLR and the Athabasca First Nations and Municipalities
YNLR is a non-profit organization owned by the Athabasca Denesułiné First Nations of Hatchet Lake First Nation, Black Lake First Nation, and Fond du Lac First Nation and the Athabasca Municipalities of Stony Rapids, Wollaston Lake, Uranium City, and Camsell Portage.
YNLR was established in June 2016 with the mandate to promote and enhance the environmental, social, economic, and cultural well-being of current and future Athabasca residents.
About Eagle Plains Resources
Based in Cranbrook, B.C., Eagle Plains is a well-funded, prolific project generator that continues to conduct research, acquire and explore mineral projects throughout western Canada, with a focus on critical metals integral to an increasingly electrified, decarbonized economy.
The Company was formed in 1992 and is the ninth-oldest listed issuer on the TSX-V (and one of only three that has not seen a roll-back or restructuring of its shares). Eagle Plains has continued to deliver shareholder value over the years and through numerous spin outs has transferred over $100,000,000 in value directly to its shareholders, with Copper Canyon Resources and Taiga Gold Corp. being notable examples. Eagle Plains latest spinout; Eagle Royalties Ltd. (CSE:"ER") was listed on May 24, 2023, and holds a diverse portfolio of royalty assets throughout western Canada.
On October 2, 2024, Eagle Plains announced announce the formation of a separate division within the Company that will give Eagle Plains' shareholders direct exposure to strategic opportunities in Canadian green energy transition. As a wholly-owned subsidiary of Eagle Plains, Osprey Power Inc. ("OP") will focus on identifying and advancing innovative and diverse clean energy project portfolios in target markets throughout Canada, with an initial focus on Western Canada.
Eagle Plains' core business is acquiring grassroots critical- and precious-metal exploration properties. The Company is committed to steadily enhancing shareholder value by advancing our diverse portfolio of projects toward discovery through collaborative partnerships and development of a highly experienced technical team.
Expenditures from 2010-2023 on Eagle Plains-related projects exceed $38M, the majority of which was funded by third-party partners. This exploration work resulted in approximately 50,000m of diamond-drilling and extensive ground-based exploration work facilitating the advancement of numerous projects at various stages of development.
Throughout the exploration process, our mission is to help maintain prosperous communities by exploring for and discovering resource opportunities while building lasting relationships through honest and respectful business practices.
On behalf of the Board of Directors of Eagle Plains
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release may contain forward-looking statements including but not limited to comments regarding the timing and content of upcoming work programs, geological interpretations, receipt of property titles, potential mineral recovery processes, etc. Forward-looking statements address future events and conditions and therefore, involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements.
