News Release
Spanish Mountain Gold Mine Project – Federal Funding Allocated to Participate in the Environmental Assessment

OTTAWA– January 5, 2012 – The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (the Agency) has allocated a total of $20,324 to two applicants to support their participation in the federal environmental assessment of the proposed Spanish Mountain Gold Mine Project in British Columbia.

Federal funding has been allocated to the following applicants:

• Métis Nation BC; and
• Likely Xat?sull Community Forest and Likely District Chamber of Commerce.

This funding is provided through the Participant Funding Program administered by the Agency and is intended to support public participation in upcoming steps of the comprehensive study process, including the review and comment of the Environmental Impact Statement Guidelines, the Environmental Impact Statement document and the final Comprehensive Study Report.

A funding review committee, independent of the environmental assessment process, was established to assess the funding requests. The Funding Review Committee?s report, along with further information on the project, is available on the Agency?s Web site, in the Canadian Environmental Assessment Registry, under reference number 11-03-63917.

Spanish Mountain Gold Ltd. is proposing the Spanish Mountain Gold Mine Project which is an open pit gold mine located approximately 70 kilometres northeast of Williams Lake, British Columbia. The project will process approximately 40,000 tonnes per day of ore over a period of ten years.

The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency administers the federal environmental assessment process, which identifies the environmental effects of proposed projects and measures to address those effects, in support of sustainable development.

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For more information, media may contact:

Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
Céline Legault
Communications Advisor
Tel.: 613-957-0278