Detour Gold and Metis Nation of Ontario Sign Memorandum of Understanding
TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwire) -- 12/02/10 -- Detour Gold Corporation (TSX: DGC) ('Detour Gold' or the 'Company') is pleased to announce that the Metis Nation of Ontario ('MNO') and Detour Gold have formally signed a Memorandum of Understanding ('MOU') to guide their working relationship in regard to the development of the Detour Lake gold mine in northeastern Ontario.
'Based on the positive relationship-building efforts we have been making over the past year with Detour Gold, we developed this MOU collaboratively to guide engagement and consultation with the regional rights-bearing Metis communities in the James Bay/Abitibi-Temiscamingue traditional territories. I am pleased that the MNO was able to sign its first MOU in the mineral sector with Detour Gold and I applaud Detour Gold's pro-active efforts in working with the Metis Nation,' said MNO President Gary Lipinski.
Gerald Panneton, President and CEO of Detour Gold, added: 'Since the acquisition of the Detour Lake project, we have been committed to working and consulting with all local communities, including the First Nation and Metis people. This initial agreement represents a milestone in our continuing working relationship with the Metis community as we plan to build upon it to provide opportunities to the regional Metis. The development of the Detour Lake mine will provide positive economic and employment benefits to all the local communities in the region.'
The MOU details the way the local Metis have been and will be consulted regarding the development of the project and if there is an impact on Metis way of life, then the parties will work together to address them in an accommodation agreement based on impacts.
MNO Regional Councilor Marcel Lafrance, Chair of the James Bay/Abitibi-Temiscamingue Consultation Committee, commented: 'Our community has worked hard with Detour Gold and we are very proud of our positive relationship and successful negotiations.'
About MNO
The MNO represents the Metis people and Metis communities within Ontario through a province-wide governance structure at the local, regional and provincial levels. For more information on the MNO as well as its framework for government and companies to consult with Metis communities in Ontario visit www.metisnation.org.
About Detour Gold
Detour Gold is a Canadian gold exploration and development company whose primary focus is to advance the development of its flagship Detour Lake gold project located in northeastern Ontario towards production. Detour Gold's shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the trading symbol DGC.
Forward Looking Information
This press release contains certain forward-looking information as defined in applicable securities laws (referred to herein as 'forward-looking statements'). Specifically, this press release contains forward-looking statements regarding the development of an IBA with MNO, the development of the Detour Lake project and the positive economic and employment benefits that this project development will provide to the local communities in the region. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which are beyond Detour Gold's ability to predict or control and may cause Detour Gold's actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any of its future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties and other factors include, but are not limited to, gold price volatility, changes in debt and equity markets, the uncertainties involved in interpreting geological data, increases in costs, environmental compliance and changes in environmental legislation and regulation, interest rate and exchange rate fluctuations, general economic conditions and other risks involved in the gold exploration and development industry, as well as those risk factors discussed in the section entitled 'Description of Business - Risk Factors' in Detour Gold's 2009 annual information form. Such forward-looking statements are also based on a number of assumptions which may prove to be incorrect, including, but not limited to, assumptions about the following: the availability of financing for exploration and development activities; the estimated timeline for the development of the Detour Lake gold project; the supply and demand for, and the level and volatility of the price of, gold; the accuracy of reserve and resource estimates and the assumptions on which the reserve and resource estimates are based; the receipt of necessary permits; market competition; ongoing relations with employees and local communities; and general business and economic conditions. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Detour Gold undertakes no obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking statements contained herein whether as a result of new information or future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law.
Contacts:
Detour Gold Corporation
Gerald Panneton
President and CEO
(416) 304.0800
Detour Gold Corporation
Laurie Gaborit
Director Investor Relations
(416) 304.0581
Detour Gold Corporation
Royal Bank Plaza, South Tower
200 Bay Street, Suite 2200
Toronto, Ontario M5J 2J1