TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 12/21/10 -- Detour Gold Corporation (TSX: DGC) ("Detour Gold" or the "Company") and Wahgoshig First Nation ("WFN") are pleased to announce the signing of an Impact Benefit Agreement ("IBA") with respect to the development and operation of the Company's Detour Lake gold project in northeastern Ontario. The formal signing of this IBA follows the successful unanimous ratification by the community of the key terms of the agreement.
The IBA provides the WFN community with opportunities to participate in the economic development of the Detour Lake mine project. It addresses how WFN will benefit from community training initiatives and employment and business opportunities, and includes provisions for financial compensation.
Under the IBA, Detour Gold recognizes and respects WFN's asserted rights and interests in the area of the Detour Lake project. For its part, WFN also acknowledges Detour Gold's rights and interests in the development of the project. Detour Gold also endorses a commitment to safeguard the environment and show recognition of WFN's social and cultural heritage. The agreement captures the mutual commitment to consult and maintain an open, respectful and cooperative relationship as the development and operation of the Detour Lake gold project progresses.
Chief David Babin of WFN said: "This IBA provides business development opportunities for our Nation, along with education and training for our young people. We have successfully partnered with companies to win competitive bids at the Detour Lake project. This success coupled with other economic benefits created by Detour Gold will result into positive community growth. Wahgoshig is open for business with partners like Detour Gold."
Gerald Panneton, President and CEO of Detour Gold, commented: "Since day one we have been committed to working with the Aboriginal communities impacted by the development of Detour Lake. The signing of this IBA solidifies this commitment and further strengthens our relationship with WFN. We are grateful to have their support for the development of Detour Lake, which will deliver numerous economic opportunities and benefits to WFN members and to the region for years to come."
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.
Detour Gold Corporation, Royal Bank Plaza, South Tower, 200 Bay Street, Suite 2200, Toronto, Ontario M5J 2J1
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 uncertainties and other factors which are beyond Detour Gold's ability to predict or control and may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any of 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 impacted 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
Derek Teevan
VP Government and Aboriginal Affairs
(416) 304.0800
Wahgoshig First Nation
Chief David Babin
(705) 273.2055
Wahgoshig First Nation
Brian Gelinas
mining Coordinator
(705) 273.2055
Source: Detour Gold Corporation and Wahgoshig First Nation