Skeena Announces Positive Judgment by the Supreme Court of Canada Regarding the Albino Lake Storage Facility
Skeena Resources (TSX:SKE, NYSE:SKE) has received a favorable ruling from the Supreme Court of Canada, which dismissed appeals by Richard Mill and Orogenic Gold Corp. regarding the ownership of mineral rights to materials in the Albino Lake Storage Facility at Eskay Creek.
The B.C. Court of Appeal's July 2024 judgment, which found that Skeena had not relinquished the materials to the province, will stand. The court determined that the Province could not have granted ownership rights to Mill when he received the mineral claim over the Albino Lake area in 2017.
The matter will now proceed to a rehearing before the new Gold Commissioner, expected to conclude after Q4 2025. The company notes that the Eskay Creek Material in the Albino Lake Storage Facility is not included in the company's mineral resource or reserve statements, nor was it part of the November 2023 Definitive Feasibility Study.
Skeena Resources (TSX:SKE, NYSE:SKE) ha ottenuto una sentenza favorevole dalla Corte Suprema del Canada, che ha respinto i ricorsi di Richard Mill e Orogenic Gold Corp. riguardanti la proprietà dei diritti minerari sui materiali nella struttura di stoccaggio Albino Lake presso Eskay Creek.
La sentenza della Corte d'Appello della British Columbia del luglio 2024, che ha stabilito che Skeena non aveva rinunciato ai materiali a favore della provincia, rimarrà valida. Il tribunale ha deciso che la Provincia non poteva concedere i diritti di proprietà a Mill quando nel 2017 questi ha ottenuto il permesso minerario sull'area di Albino Lake.
La questione passerà ora a una nuova udienza davanti al nuovo Commissario dell'Oro, che si prevede si concluderà dopo il quarto trimestre del 2025. La società precisa che il materiale Eskay Creek nella struttura di stoccaggio Albino Lake non è incluso nelle dichiarazioni di risorse o riserve minerarie dell’azienda, né faceva parte dello Studio di Fattibilità Definitivo di novembre 2023.
Skeena Resources (TSX:SKE, NYSE:SKE) ha recibido un fallo favorable del Tribunal Supremo de Canadá, que desestimó las apelaciones de Richard Mill y Orogenic Gold Corp. sobre la propiedad de los derechos mineros de los materiales en la instalación de almacenamiento Albino Lake en Eskay Creek.
La sentencia del Tribunal de Apelaciones de la Columbia Británica de julio de 2024, que determinó que Skeena no había renunciado a los materiales a favor de la provincia, se mantendrá. El tribunal concluyó que la Provincia no podía otorgar derechos de propiedad a Mill cuando este recibió la concesión minera sobre el área de Albino Lake en 2017.
El asunto avanzará ahora a una nueva audiencia ante el nuevo Comisionado de Oro, que se espera concluya después del cuarto trimestre de 2025. La empresa señala que el material de Eskay Creek en la instalación de almacenamiento Albino Lake no está incluido en las declaraciones de recursos o reservas minerales de la compañía, ni formó parte del Estudio de Factibilidad Definitivo de noviembre de 2023.
Skeena Resources (TSX:SKE, NYSE:SKE)는 캐나다 대법원으로부터 유리한 판결을 받았으며, 이는 Richard Mill과 Orogenic Gold Corp.가 Eskay Creek의 Albino Lake 저장 시설 내 광물권 소유권에 대해 제기한 항소를 기각한 것입니다.
2024년 7월 브리티시컬럼비아 항소법원의 판결에 따라 Skeena가 광물권을 주정부에 양도하지 않았다는 점이 유지됩니다. 법원은 Mill이 2017년 Albino Lake 지역에 대한 광물 채굴권을 받았을 때 주정부가 소유권을 부여할 수 없다고 판결했습니다.
이 문제는 새로운 금 담당 위원 앞에서 재심리될 예정이며, 2025년 4분기 이후에 결론이 날 것으로 예상됩니다. 회사는 Albino Lake 저장 시설 내 Eskay Creek 광물은 회사의 광물 자원 또는 매장량 보고서에 포함되어 있지 않으며, 2023년 11월 확정 타당성 조사에도 포함되지 않았다고 밝혔습니다.
Skeena Resources (TSX:SKE, NYSE:SKE) a obtenu une décision favorable de la Cour suprême du Canada, qui a rejeté les appels de Richard Mill et Orogenic Gold Corp. concernant la propriété des droits miniers sur les matériaux stockés dans l'installation Albino Lake à Eskay Creek.
Le jugement de la Cour d'appel de la Colombie-Britannique de juillet 2024, qui a conclu que Skeena n'avait pas renoncé aux matériaux au profit de la province, sera maintenu. Le tribunal a déterminé que la Province ne pouvait pas avoir accordé les droits de propriété à Mill lorsqu'il a obtenu la concession minière sur la zone d'Albino Lake en 2017.
Le dossier sera désormais réexaminé devant le nouveau Commissaire de l'Or, avec une conclusion prévue après le quatrième trimestre 2025. La société précise que le matériel d'Eskay Creek dans l'installation de stockage Albino Lake n'est pas inclus dans les déclarations de ressources ou de réserves minérales de l'entreprise, ni dans l'étude de faisabilité définitive de novembre 2023.
Skeena Resources (TSX:SKE, NYSE:SKE) hat eine positive Entscheidung des Obersten Gerichtshofs von Kanada erhalten, der die Berufungen von Richard Mill und Orogenic Gold Corp. bezüglich der Eigentumsrechte an Mineralien im Albino Lake Lagerstättenbereich bei Eskay Creek abgewiesen hat.
Das Urteil des Berufungsgerichts von British Columbia vom Juli 2024, das feststellte, dass Skeena die Materialien nicht an die Provinz abgetreten hat, bleibt bestehen. Das Gericht entschied, dass die Provinz Mill keine Eigentumsrechte hätte gewähren können, als er 2017 den Anspruch auf das Albino Lake Gebiet erhielt.
Die Angelegenheit wird nun vor dem neuen Goldkommissar erneut verhandelt, mit einem Abschluss nach dem vierten Quartal 2025. Das Unternehmen weist darauf hin, dass das Eskay Creek Material im Albino Lake Lagerbereich nicht in den Mineralressourcen- oder Reservestatements des Unternehmens enthalten ist und auch nicht Teil der definitiven Machbarkeitsstudie vom November 2023 war.
- Legal victory securing mineral rights ownership at Albino Lake Storage Facility
- Final dismissal of appeals by Supreme Court of Canada strengthens Skeena's position
- Extended timeline for final resolution with rehearing not expected before Q4 2025
- Disputed materials not included in current resource estimates or feasibility studies
Insights
Supreme Court victory bolsters Skeena's mineral rights claim at Albino Lake, removing significant legal uncertainty despite ongoing proceedings.
The Supreme Court of Canada's dismissal of appeal applications from Richard Mill and Orogenic Gold Corp. represents a significant legal victory for Skeena Resources in their dispute over mineral rights at the Eskay Creek project. This decision effectively upholds the B.C. Court of Appeal's July 2024 ruling which found that Skeena had not relinquished materials in the Albino Lake Storage Facility to the province, contradicting an earlier Gold Commissioner's determination.
While this doesn't finalize ownership rights, it removes a substantial legal obstacle and paves the way for the rehearing process before a newly appointed Gold Commissioner. The legal proceedings center on determining rightful ownership of minerals in the storage facility, with the Court of Appeal previously concluding that "the Province cannot be said to have granted ownership rights to Mr. Mill in the waste material upon his receipt of the mineral claim over the Albino Lake area in 2017."
It's worth noting that according to Skeena's disclosure, the materials in question are not currently included in the company's mineral resource statements, reserves, or feasibility studies for the Eskay Creek Project. This suggests the immediate financial impact of this legal victory may be in the near term.
For mining companies, resolving disputes over mineral rights provides crucial legal certainty, allowing management to focus on project development rather than litigation. Although the rehearing process will continue into late 2025, this Supreme Court decision substantially increases the likelihood of a favorable final outcome for Skeena regarding these disputed materials.
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / April 22, 2025 / Skeena Resources Limited (TSX:SKE)(NYSE:SKE) ("Skeena Gold & Silver", "Skeena" or the "Company") announced that the Supreme Court of Canada has dismissed Richard Mill's ("Mill") and Orogenic Gold Corp.'s ("Orogenic") applications for permission to appeal the B.C. Court of Appeal's ("Court of Appeal") July 2024 judgment in favour of Skeena, in a dispute over ownership of the mineral rights to materials contained in the Albino Lake Storage Facility at Eskay Creek (the "Eskay Creek Material").
In its July 2024 judgment, the Court of Appeal found that Skeena did not relinquish the materials to the province, and that the prior Gold Commissioner was incorrect to hold that it did so (see news release dated July 5, 2024). As result, the court ruled, "the Province cannot be said to have granted ownership rights to Mr. Mill in the waste material upon his receipt of the mineral claim over the Albino Lake area in 2017". Based on this and other legal errors in the original decision in favour of Mill, the Court of Appeal set aside that decision, and referred the matter back to the Gold Commissioner for rehearing and reconsideration considering the Court of Appeal's reasons.
Walter Coles, Executive Chairman of Skeena, commented: "We look forward to completing the rehearing before the Gold Commissioner later this year to definitively affirm Skeena's rightful and exclusive ownership of the minerals stored in the Albino Lake Storage Facility and put this matter to rest." |
The Supreme Court of Canada's decision ends Mill and Orogenic's bids to appeal the Court of Appeal's decision. This clears the way to complete the rehearing before the new Gold Commissioner, who was appointed to the position following the original decision. The rehearing process is underway. It is not expected to be completed before Q4 2025.
The Eskay Creek Material contained in the Albino Lake Storage Facility is not part of the Company's mineral resource or reserve Statements for Eskay Creek nor has it been included in any studies, including the November 2023 Definitive Feasibility Study for the Eskay Creek Project.
About Skeena
Skeena is a leading precious metals developer that is focused on advancing the Eskay Creek Gold-Silver Project - a past producing mine located in the renowned Golden Triangle in British Columbia, Canada. Eskay Creek will be one of the highest-grade and lowest cost open-pit precious metals mines in the world, with substantial silver by-product production that surpasses many primary silver mines. Skeena is committed to sustainable mining practices and maximizing the potential of its mineral resources. In partnership with the Tahltan Nation, Skeena strives to foster positive relationships with Indigenous communities while delivering long-term value and sustainable growth for its stakeholders.
On behalf of the Board of Directors of Skeena Gold & Silver,
Walter Coles | Randy Reichert |
For further information, please contact:
Galina Meleger
Vice President Investor Relations
E: info@skeenagold.com
T: 604-684-8725
W: www.skeenagoldsilver.com
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Skeena's Corporate Head office is located at Suite #2600 - 1133 Melville Street, Vancouver BC V6E 4E5
Qualified Persons
In accordance with National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, Paul Geddes, P.Geo., Senior Vice President, Exploration & Resource Development, is the Qualified Person for the Company and has prepared, validated, and approved the technical and scientific statements and information contained or incorporated by reference in the news release. The Company strictly adheres to CIM Best Practices Guidelines in conducting, documenting, and reporting the exploration activities on its projects.
Cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements
Certain statements and information contained or incorporated by reference in this news release constitute "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation (collectively, "forward-looking statements"). These statements relate to future events or our future performance. The use of words such as "anticipates", "believes", "proposes", "look forward to", "contemplates", "generates", "targets", "is projected", "is planned", "considers", "estimates", "expects", "is expected", "potential" and similar expressions, or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "might", "will", "could", or "would" be taken, achieved, or occur, may identify forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. Specific forward-looking statements contained herein include, but are not limited to, statements regarding: the timing and outcome of the rehearing and reconsideration of the claim regarding the Eskay Creek Material, the timing and likelihood of Skeena re-establishing ownership of the materials in Albino Lake, the progress of development at Eskay, the relative grade, relative costs and relative size of production at Eskay Creek once in production. Such forward-looking statements are based on material factors and/or assumptions which include, but are not limited to, the results of the rehearing before the new Gold Commissioner and any legal appeals that may follow the decision, the estimation of mineral resources and reserves, the realization of resource and reserve estimates, metal prices, taxation, the estimation, timing and amount of future exploration and development, capital and operating costs, the availability of financing, the receipt of regulatory approvals, environmental risks, title disputes and the assumptions set forth herein and in the Company's MD&A for the year ended December 31, 2024, its most recently filed interim MD&A, and the Company's Annual Information Form ("AIF") dated March 31, 2025. Such forward-looking statements represent the Company's management expectations, estimates and projections regarding future events or circumstances on the date the statements are made, and are necessarily based on several estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by the Company as of the date hereof, are not guarantees of future performance. Actual events and results may differ materially from those described herein, and are subject to significant operational, business, economic, and regulatory risks and uncertainties. The risks and uncertainties that may affect the forward-looking statements in this news release include, among others: the inherent risks involved in exploration and development of mineral properties, including permitting and other government decisions and approvals; changes in economic conditions, including changes in the price of gold and other key variables; changes in mine plans and other factors, including accidents, equipment breakdown, bad weather and other project execution delays, many of which are beyond the control of the Company; environmental risks and unanticipated reclamation expenses; and other risk factors identified in the Company's MD&A for the year ended December 31, 2024, its most recently filed interim MD&A, the AIF dated March 31, 2025, the Company's short form base shelf prospectus dated March 19, 2025, and in the Company's other periodic filings with securities and regulatory authorities in Canada and the United States that are available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca or on EDGAR at www.sec.gov.
Readers should not place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made and the Company does not undertake any obligations to update and/or revise any forward-looking statements except as required by applicable securities laws.
SOURCE: Skeena Resources Limited
View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire
FAQ
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