NorZinc And Acho Dene Koe First Nation Sign Key Transportation Corridor Benefits Agreement

17 August 2022

Vancouver, British Columbia ? August 17, 2022 ? NorZinc Ltd. (TSX: NZC; OTCQB: NORZF) (the “Company” or “NorZinc”) is pleased to announce the signing of a Transportation Corridor Benefits Agreement (the “Agreement”) with Acho Dene Koe First Nation related to the transportation of mineral concentrate from the Prairie Creek Project (“Prairie Creek” or the “Project”) through the First Nation’s Traditional Territory in the Northwest Territories and British Columbia, Canada.

This Agreement sets the basis for the long-term working partnership and benefits for Acho Dene Koe First Nation and its members and its businesses.

Acho Dene Koe First Nation’s Traditional Territory and waters span three jurisdictions: British Columbia, the Yukon, and the Northwest Territories. Its main community is currently settled in Fort Liard. The Concentrate from the Mine will pass immediately by Fort Liard on Northwest Territories’ Highway 7 (commonly referred to as the Liard Highway) and will continue on Provincial BC Highway 77 within the First Nations traditional territory in British Columbia.

Acho Dene Koe First Nation and its economic development corporation (“ADK Holdings Ltd”) will participate in the benefits of the project, particularly through training, employment, business, and contracting opportunities related to the transportation of mineral concentrate.

“We are pleased to be signing this agreement with the Acho Dene Koe First Nation which sets a strong foundation for us to work collectively, ensuring the benefits to its community/members. We would like to thank Chief Gene Hope and both the past and current Councils of Acho Dene Koe First Nation; as well as the directors of ADK Holdings Ltd who continue to support the Project”, said Rohan Hazelton, President & CEO, NorZinc. “The formalization of yet another benefits agreement with our First Nations partners and its economic development corporations demonstrates and solidifies the support and recognition of the positive impacts of the Project in this northern region and brings us one step closer to moving Prairie Creek forward.”

“Acho Dene Koe First Nation is excited to finalize the negotiations NorZinc, the agreement reached comes after two years of discussions and it achieves the mandate set by the Council of Chief Hope and carried-forward by the current council. Our Council would like to thank the efforts of our negotiating team in achieving this positive result in supporting economic opportunities, as well as, providing of capacity to our First Nation with direct community support for education, training, and community harvesters and events for the future, said Sub Chief Brenda Berreault”

“As the Chairperson for ADK Holdings Ltd, this is a momentous opportunity. The ore transportation opportunity and the formation of a new company will help to position the economic development corporation for the future in employment, business opportunities, and economic growth that has not been seen since the days of when oil and gas was at its height. We look forward to working with NorZinc in advancing this opportunity, said Boyd Clark, Chairperson, ADK Holdings Ltd.”

About NorZinc

NorZinc is a TSX-listed mine development Company trading under the symbol “NZC” and on the OTCQB under the symbol “NORZF”. NorZinc is focused on developing its 100%-owned high-grade zinc-silver-lead Prairie Creek Project, located in the Northwest Territories.

About Acho Dene Koe First Nation

Acho Dene Koe First Nation is a Dene band government based in Fort Liard, Northwest Territories, Canada with Aboriginal rights, including title to its Traditional Territory. Our main community is the Hamlet of Fort Liard. Acho Dene Koe First Nation has existing treaty settlement negotiations with the Governments of Canada, Northwest Territories, Yukon and British Columbia. Acho Dene Koe First Nation adheres to Treaty 11, and a signatory to the Devolution Agreement in Northwest Territories and is a member government of the Dehcho First Nations.

View full news release here.