NEWS RELEASE: NWT Mineral Development Strategy Launched

(Vancouver, January 28, 2013) Launch of the process to create a Northwest Territories Mineral Development Strategy took place today. The Strategy is a partnership between the Government of the Northwest Territories and the NWT and Nunavut Chamber of Mines.

With the world’s premier technical mineral exploration conference – AMEBC Mineral Exploration Roundup – as the backdrop, NWT Minister David Ramsay spoke to attendees and shared a copy of the Discussion Paper that has been written to guide engagement on the NWT Mineral Development Strategy.

“Mineral development is the backbone of the NWT economy, and developing a long-term plan will guide decision-making for mineral development into the future,” said David Ramsay, NWT Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment . “Once complete, a Mineral Development Strategy will support our efforts to expand the nature and scope of our resource development and provide a framework to ensure our mineral resources continue to be developed in a way that benefits NWT residents, ensures development is sustainable, and upholds our commitment to protect the environment.”

Cathie Bolstad, President of the NWT and Nunavut Chamber of Mines echoed those sentiments. “While we have grown the industry to be the largest private sector employer in the North, it is important that we work together with our industry members and with northerners to find ways to sustain and grow our industry’s contributions. We are very pleased to be partnering with the NWT Government in the development of the NWT Mineral Development Strategy.”

To facilitate the engagement and discussion of the NWT Mineral Development Strategy, a three-person Advisory Panel (biographies attached) has been appointed to travel throughout the territory and to consult with other stakeholders around Canada, to gather feedback and provide recommendations on drafting the final Strategy.

Residents and organizations are encouraged to review the Discussion Paper and email feedback and suggestions to: mineraldevelopmentstrategy@gov.nt.ca.

The development of a NWT Mineral Development Strategy was identified by the 17 th Legislative Assembly as a key element to supporting its priority: to Strengthen and Diversify the Northwest Territories Economy.

For more information on the NWT Mineral Development Strategy, visit the NWT Industry, Tourism and Investment website: http://www.iti.gov.nt.ca/.

For more information on the NWT and Nunavut mining industries, please visit the website at www.miningnorth.com or contact Tom Hoefer, Executive Director at Tel: 867-873-5281 or email: executivedirector@miningnorth.com.

NWT MINERAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY – ADVISORY PANEL MEMBERS

Rod Brown was born and raised in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, and has spent
his entire working life as a leader in the mineral development service industry. As
the founder of Discovery Mining Services, Mr. Brown brings to the table a vast
knowledge and understanding of the role of junior and senior exploration
companies, the relationship that exists between junior and senior exploration
companies, and the need for both in the NWT.

Murray Duke worked with the Geological Survey of Canada for 18 years, and spent
the majority of his career focusing on geological mapping, mineral resources,
exploration technology, environmental geoscience and natural hazards – just to
name a few areas. Since his retirement from the public service, Mr. Duke worked
with the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada on a major review of
public policy rationale for public geoscience, as well as consulting projects for the
Geological Survey of Newfoundland and Labrador, Saskatchewan Ministry of Energy
and Resources, the NWT Geosciences Office, and Natural Resources Canada.

Angus Robertson has an extensive background in the public service at both the
federal and provincial/territorial level. In addition to his extensive background in
resource development, Mr. Robertson also brings to the table experience in working
in land claims negotiations but also in Devolution negotiations during his time with
the Government of Yukon.