Sudbury, Ontario, October 25th, 2013 – Northern Superior Resources Inc. (NSR) (TSXV:SUP) today filed a statement of claim against the Ontario Government for $110 million in damages, as a result of extraordinary circumstances leading to its inability to access its Thorne Lake, Meston Lake, and Rapson Bay gold properties in northwestern Ontario.
“The Ontario Government claims to be open for business to mining companies and the significant economic benefits they bring, but the reality is that they have abandoned their responsibility under the Mining Act to ensure that consultation takes place between mining companies like ours and First Nations communities,” said Tom Morris, President & CEO, Northern Superior Resources. “If they don’t provide the stability of clear rules and an improved framework to allow mining companies and First Nations communities to reach agreements, then investment dollars will go elsewhere.”
NSR’s statement of claim outlines the Company’s experiences between 2005 and 2011 as it attempted to engage local First Nations communities in exploring its mining claims. The Company was subjected to extraordinary actions, including the holding of employees in the community until payments were made. These, along with other actions, made continued exploration of NSR’s properties impossible.
In addition, the Government’s actions to resolve similar land access disputes in the area, including the withdrawal from mining of 23,000 sq. km. of Crown lands in the area of NSR’s claim, have only served to further damage the value of NSR’s investment.
The Company respects the inherent right of First Nations to decide whether to allow exploration in their traditional territory, but points to the failure of the Ontario Government to ensure proper consultation took place with the community. After attempting to resolve the matter with the Government of Ontario, the Company has been left with no option but to commence legal action to protect its investment and the interests of its shareholders and stakeholders.
Tom Morris commented further: “We are extremely disappointed that circumstances have caused us to resort to such drastic measures. However, we want to assure all shareholders and stakeholders that this action against the Government of Ontario will in no way diminish the Company’s commitment to exploration and advancement of its other mineral properties such as its newly acquired Grizzly properties near Chibougamou, Quebec. Northern Superior cannot emphasize strongly enough, the importance of the relationships developed with its other First Nation partners with whom the Company has negotiated fair and respectful agreements and where a relationship of trust and respect has been developed and nurtured to the benefit of all parties involved.”
A full copy of the Statement of Claim is available on the Company’s web-site.
About Northern Superior Resources Inc:
Northern Superior is a junior exploration company exploring for gold in the Superior Province of the Canadian Shield. The Company has over $6 million cash in the bank and is currently focused on exploring its Croteau Est property in Quebec.
The Company has a number of 100% owned properties (see Company web site, www.nsuperior.com) in the Stull-Wunnumin and Chibougamau gold districts of Ontario and Québec.
Northern Superior is a reporting issuer in British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, and Quebec, and trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol SUP. For further information contact:
Hillary Marshall
NATIONAL Public Relations
(416) 848-1451
hmarshall@national.ca
For Investors
Forward looking statements: This news release includes certain “forward-looking information” within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation and “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act or 1995 (collectively, “forward looking statements”). Forward looking statements include predictions, projections and forecasts and are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as “seek”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “plan”, “estimate”, “forecast”, “ expect”, “ potential”, “project”, “target”, “schedule”, “budget” and “intend” and statements that an event or result “may”, “will”, “should”, “could” or “might” occur or be achieved or other similar expressions and includes the negatives thereof. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding potential mineralization, exploration results, interpretation of results, the timing and success of exploration activities generally, the timing and results of future resource estimates, and future plans and objectives of Northern Superior are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward looking statements are based on a number of material factors and assumptions. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from Northern Superior’s expectations include exploration risks, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, results of future resources estimates, future metal prices, availability of capital and financing on acceptable terms, general economic, market or business conditions, uninsured risks, regulatory changes, defects in title, availability of personnel, materials and equipment on a timely basis, accidents or equipment breakdowns, delays in receiving government approvals, unanticipated environmental impacts on operations and costs to remedy same, and other exploration or other risks detailed herein and from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulators. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ from those described in forward looking statements, there may be other factors that cause such actions, events or results to differ materially from those anticipated. There can be no assurance that forward looking statements will prove to be accurate and accordingly readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward looking statements.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.