SASKATOON—The Ya’thi Néné Lands and Resource Office (YNLR) and Belmont Resources Ltd. recently signed an agreement on a collaborative approach to responsible mineral exploration in the Athabasca region, the traditional land of the Athabasca First Nations. The exploration will take place within Nuhenéné in Treaty 8 and Treaty 10 territories.
YNLR is owned by the Athabasca DenesuÅ‚iné First Nations of Hatchet Lake, Black Lake, and Fond du Lac, as well as the Northern Hamlet of Stony Rapids and the Northern Settlements of Uranium City, Wollaston Lake, and Camsell Portage.
The agreement reflects Belmont and YNLR’s commitment to promoting and enhancing the social, environmental and cultural well-being of current and future residents of the Athabasca region while supporting sustainable economic opportunities. The partnership also ensures respect for the rights, values and traditions of the region's communities.
The agreement provides a framework to ensure exploration activities prioritize environmental stewardship, cultural preservation and community engagement, while promoting local employment, training and business development.
“Collaborations like this reflect our commitment to protecting the land, fostering opportunity and strengthening our communities. By working with Belmont Resources, we ensure that exploration in our traditional territories benefits our people and aligns with our values,” said YNLR board chair Mary Denechezhe.
The agreement enables active participation by the communities in the Athabasca Basin. It includes provisions for contracting northern businesses, compensating local harvesters and contributing to YNLR’s community trust. The agreement also establishes mechanisms for ongoing communication and environmental monitoring, facilitated by YNLR’s community land technicians.
Belmont will launch a drilling initiative as part of the Crackingstone Uranium Project on its property, about six kilometres from Uranium City. The site provides easy access to essential infrastructure and logistical support for drilling operations.
In June 2024, Belmont submitted a permit application for 40 drill holes totalling 10,000 metres over two years. This program will focus on uranium exploration and involve geologists examining high-potential rare-earth targets.
Extensive thorium-bearing pegmatites characterize these targets, which are considered strong indicators of rare-earth element deposits. The dual focus on uranium and potential rare-earth elements underscores the strategic importance of this exploration effort in Saskatchewan's uranium-rich Athabasca Basin region.
With consultation from YNLR and the exploration agreement in place, Belmont awaits final permit approval from the Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment. The company has a portfolio of highly prospective copper, gold, lithium, uranium and rare-earth projects in British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Washington and Nevada.
“We are honoured to establish this exploration agreement, acknowledging the significance of a joint partnership that respects the principles and entitlements of the First Nations and the communities represented by YNLR. This agreement lays the foundation for meaningful engagement, environmental stewardship, and shared economic benefits, ensuring that our exploration activities align with the values and aspirations of the Athabasca nations and communities,” said Belmont CEO and president George Sookochoff.
