Benchmark Metals signs trilateral agreement with three First Nations to advance Lawyer’s gold-silver project in British Columbia

Benchmark Metals Inc (CVE:BNCH) (OTCQB:CYRTF) announced Thursday it has the support from the Tsay Keh Dene Nation, Kwadacha Nation, and Takla Nation (Partner Nations) to advance its flagship Lawyer’s gold-silver project.  The company said the trilateral agreement and involvement of the Partner Nations is vital to building and maintaining community support for the Lawyers project - located in the Golden Horseshoe of north-central British Columbia - and establishing a foundation for a collaborative partnership.  Benchmark said it will advance the project in a sustainable manner that provides social and economic opportunities while maintaining inherent rights to ancestral lands.  READ: Benchmark Metals updates on successful Lawyers project drilling where a fifth rig has been added "Benchmark has completed agreements with all First Nations in the region, we are very pleased to be working cooperatively, clearly demonstrating the capability and strength of support from our Partner Nations,” Benmark CEO John Williamson said in a statement. “It shows what can be done when companies and indigenous groups build relationships and work together.” Tsay Keh Dene Nation Chief Johnny Pierre said Benchmark “has shown itself to be a company we can work with,” adding that “this partnership can provide real opportunities and benefits for our communities while still ensuring our aboriginal rights and environmental concerns are respected." Benchmark, based in Edmonton, said the collaborative agreement is considered a major achievement and it will continue to engage and utilize Partner Nations' talent for employment and consultancy work as it plans for a drill program of up 50,000 metres.   Benchmark acquired Lawyers in March 2018 and quickly advanced the project, increasing its land package to 140 square kilometres and sinking around 15,000 metres of drilling. Exploration work generated a drill-defined, bulk-tonnage target for the Cliff Creek Zone ranging from 1.68-1.92 million ounces (oz) gold equivalent (AuEq) at an average grade ranging from 1.71-1.73 grams per tonne (g/t) AuEq. Contact the author: patrick@proactiveinvestors.com Follow him on Twitter @PatrickMGraham