File: Attachment RELEASE - Xats&769;u&772;ll First Nation announces termination of all agreements with Spanish Mountain Gold.pdf

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Xatll First Nation announces termination of all agreements with Spanish Mountain Gold

XATLL FIRST NATION TERRITORY, B.C.; 1 October 2026 -- Xatll First Nation and Spanish Mountain Gold (SMG) previously entered into agreements in 2012 and 2021 to support negotiations toward a relationship agreement regarding the proposed mine at Spanish Mountain. A relationship agreement was never finalized.

Since that time, the project has undergone significant and fundamental changes. As a result, the prior agreements no longer reflect the proposed project or provide the framework necessary to support a collaborative and mutually beneficial relationship between Xatll and SMG.

In April 2026, Xatll provided formal notice to SMG that it was immediately terminating the 2021 engagement protocol. In September 2026, Xatll provided notice to SMG that it was also terminating the 2012 Protocol Agreement.

There are no other agreements in place between SMG and Xatll.

"Spanish Mountain is a place where Xatll members continue to gather foods and medicines, camp with family, access the land for recreation and cultural well-being, and maintain living connections to spiritually and culturally significant places," said Kukwpi7 (Chief) Rhonda Phillips. "Xatll supports sustainable resource development that upholds First Nations rights and protects the lands and waters that our people have stewarded since time immemorial. We will be intentional about how industrial activity proceeds in an area that holds such significant cultural, spiritual and ecological importance to our Nation."

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Xatll First Nation is a First Nations government and part of the larger Secwepemc (Shuswap) Nation, located in the Cariboo region of British Columbia near Williams Lake. Learn more on Xatll First Nation's website.

Media contact: Michaela Konken, Coast Communications michaela@coastcomms.ca 250-320-0666

3405 Mountain House Road, Williams Lake B.C., V2G 5L5 Phone: (250) 989-2323 | Fax: (250) 989-2300 Email: reception@xatsull.com www.xatsull.com