Historic Partnership Formed Between Integra Resources and Shoshone-Paiute Tribes

Historic Partnership Between Integra Resources and Shoshone-Paiute Tribes

Integra Resources Corp. (TSXV: ITR, NYSE American: ITRG) recently announced a landmark relationship agreement with the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes, whose ancestral lands cover much of Idaho, Nevada, and Oregon. This unprecedented agreement aims to foster a long-term partnership for developing the DeLamar gold and silver mining project, located on traditional Shoshone-Paiute Homelands. The signing marks a transformative moment in tribal sovereignty and sustainable economic growth, addressing interests shared by both parties.

The relationship agreement is the culmination of five years of collaboration, aimed at ensuring that the development of the DeLamar Project will be guided by mutual respect and cultural recognition. Key aspects of the Agreement include:

1. Indigenous Recognition: Acknowledging the historical significance of the Shoshone-Paiute peoples.
2. Economic Empowerment: Creating economic opportunities for the Tribes, ensuring active participation in economic decisions.
3. Cultural and Environmental Protection: Safeguarding the environment and cultural heritage throughout the mining process.
4. Consensus Regulatory Collaboration: Working together on regulatory matters, ensuring a harmonized approach to compliance.
5. Community Investment Monitoring: Commitment to invest in local communities and track the project's impact on those communities.

Brian Mason, Chairman of the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes, emphasized the importance of this agreement, stating it provides the Tribes with a necessary role in decision-making regarding the mining project. He expressed excitement about implementing the Agreement, highlighting it as a major victory for tribal nations in mining regions.

George Salamis, President and CEO of Integra, reinforced the company's commitment to developing respectful relationships with indigenous communities. He noted that this partnership represents an ongoing effort to create tangible value for both shareholders and local communities while promoting sustainable mining practices.

The DeLamar Project, located in Owyhee County, Idaho, is set to revitalize formerly productive mines, having produced gold and silver until 1998 under Kinross Gold Corporation. Integra has invested significantly since acquiring the project in 2017, emphasizing resource growth and environmental assessments. The company recently submitted a Mine Plan of Operations to the United States Bureau of Land Management (BLM), marking the official beginning of the permitting phase and the start of comprehensive environmental reviews.

The signing of this partnership agreement has drawn positive responses from local government officials, including Idaho Congressman Russ Fulcher and Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch. They all underscored the agreement's potential to stimulate economic development and create high-quality job opportunities in Idaho’s rural communities while ensuring responsible management of natural resources.

Moving forward, this collaboration aims to serve as a model for similar agreements with other tribal nations whose lands intersect with the proposed DeLamar Project, fostering a collaborative approach to resource management and indigenous empowerment.

Conclusion

As Integra Resources collaborates with the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes, both parties illustrate a commitment to developing a responsible and culturally-sensitive mining operation. This agreement sets a precedent in the mining industry, emphasizing the importance of recognizing indigenous rights while also prioritizing sustainable economic development. The DeLamar Project looks set not only to produce valuable resources but also to contribute positively to the long-term vision of the Shoshone-Paiute community.