TORONTO (miningweekly.com) – British Columbia-focused project developer Seabridge Gold on Monday reported that it had inked another benefits agreement with an Aboriginal community surrounding the $5.3-billion KSM copper/gold project, located in the north-west of the province.

The Toronto-based company said under an agreement with the Gitanyow Wilps, as represented by the Gitanyow Hereditary Chiefs Office, it would pay for certain programmes relating to wildlife, fish and water-quality monitoring to address some of the concerns raised by the Gitanyow Huwilp.

The parties would also establish a committee to maintain communications about issues relating to the KSM project.

“The Gitanyow, whose territory is downstream of the KSM project, sought certainty that their lands and resources would be protected. Through this agreement, Seabridge is providing a mechanism to monitor the potential impacts of the project on their resources, which we believe will give greater comfort that the KSM project will perform as projected and assist the Gitanyow Huwilp in their efforts to maintain and improve wildlife and fish populations in the region that might be impacted by the project.

“While we believe we have effectively addressed these issues in the project design, we also understand and respect the concerns of the Gitanyow Huwilp. Having addressed these matters in this agreement, we are pleased to have been able to achieve greater certainty for the project,” Seabridge chairperson and CEO Rudi Fronk said.

Last week, Seabridge entered into a comprehensive benefits agreement with the Nisga'a Nation regarding the KSM project. The agreement established a long-term cooperative relationship between Seabridge and the Nisga'a Nation under which the local residents undertook to support developing the project, participate in economic benefits from the project and provide ongoing advice.

The KSM project is one of the largest undeveloped gold projects in the world. Proven and probable reserves total 38.2-million ounces of gold and 9.9-billion pounds of copper.