Toronto Stock Exchange: G
New York Stock Exchange: GG
VANCOUVER and WEMINDJI, QC, Feb.
21 /PRNewswire/ - GOLDCORP INC. (NYSE: GG) (TSX: G)
("Goldcorp"), the Cree Nation of Wemindji, the Grand Council of the Crees
(Eeyou Istchee) and the Cree Regional Authority (the "Crees") today
signed a Collaboration Agreement regarding the development and
operation of Goldcorp's Éléonore Gold Project in northern Québec.
The signing ceremony took place in Wemindji, Québec.
With the support of the people of Wemindji, the community formally approved the
agreement on January 26, 2011 with
the unanimous consent of Wemindji's Chief and Council. It was
subsequently approved unanimously by the Grand Council of the Crees
(Eeyou Istchee) and the Cree Regional Authority on February 3, 2011, representing the support of the
Cree Nation as a whole, and ensuring a stable regional environment
for the development and operation of the Éléonore Gold Project.
Under the agreement, Goldcorp recognizes and respects Cree
rights and interests in the area of the Éléonore Gold Project and
the Crees recognize and support Goldcorp's rights and interests in
the development and operation of the project.
By entering into the agreement, the Crees have demonstrated
their commitment to collaborate with Goldcorp in the development
and operation of a new gold mine in Cree territory. The agreement
will be in effect for the life of the mine. It includes provisions
regarding the participation of the Crees in the development of the
Éléonore Gold Project throughout the life of the mine, including
employment and business opportunities and training and education
initiatives.
The agreement aligns Goldcorp and Cree interests in the economic
success of the project, and ensures that the Crees will receive
financial benefits through a variety of fixed payment mechanisms
and participation in the future profitability of the mine. The
agreement also reflects Goldcorp's commitment to protecting the
environment and supporting the Crees' social and cultural practices
in a spirit of continued collaboration.
"This collaborative partnership with the James Bay Crees creates
the foundation for a lasting relationship built on trust, mutual
respect and constructive engagement," said Chuck Jeannes, President and CEO of Goldcorp.
"As Éléonore has grown and developed, so too have the social and
economic opportunities the project creates for stakeholders. We
will work closely with the Crees to advance these opportunities
while acting as responsible stewards of the land and for the health
and safety of those working and living on it."
"This Collaboration Agreement is a vibrant example where, with
the participation of the Crees, mining development can take place
and prosper in Eeyou Istchee," said Dr. Matthew Coon Come, Grand Chief of the Grand
Council of the Crees (Eeyou Istchee). "This agreement marks the
beginning of a collaborative and fruitful relationship between the
Crees and Goldcorp, a relationship based on respect for Cree rights
and environmental and economic sustainability. In accordance with
the principles of our Cree Nation Mining Policy, the Crees and
Goldcorp have ensured that our traditional rapport to the land
remains intact. This agreement sets the new standard for mining
proponents seeking to do business in Eeyou Istchee."
"This agreement represents the beginning of a new era between
developers and indigenous communities based on respect and
recognition of the significant contributions our communities can
make in the development of projects such as Éléonore. My people can
proudly stand with Goldcorp as we do everything we can to ensure
the profitability of the project while managing it in a manner
reflective of our obligations to our families and future
generations," said Wemindji Chief
Rodney Mark.
Les Mines Opinaca Ltée, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Goldcorp,
owns the Éléonore Gold Project and is the signatory to the
Collaboration Agreement with the Crees.
Goldcorp is one of the world's fastest growing senior gold
producers. Its low-cost gold production is located in safe
jurisdictions in the Americas and remains 100% unhedged.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains "forward-looking statements", within
the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities legislation,
concerning the business, operations and financial performance and
condition of Goldcorp Inc. ("Goldcorp"). Forward-looking statements
include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the
future price of gold, silver, copper, lead and zinc, the estimation
of mineral reserves and resources, the realization of mineral
reserve estimates, the timing and amount of estimated future
production, costs of production, capital expenditures, costs and
timing of the development of new deposits, success of exploration
activities, permitting time lines, hedging practices, currency
exchange rate fluctuations, requirements for additional capital,
government regulation of mining operations, environmental risks,
unanticipated reclamation expenses, timing and possible outcome of
pending litigation, title disputes or claims and limitations on
insurance coverage. Generally, these forward-looking statements can
be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as
"plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled",
"estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", "believes" or
variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain
actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or
"will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved" or the negative
connotation thereof.
Forward-looking statements are made based upon certain
assumptions and other important factors that, if untrue, could
cause the actual results, performances or achievements of Goldcorp
to be materially different from future results, performances or
achievements expressed or implied by such statements. Such
statements and information are based on numerous assumptions
regarding present and future business strategies and the
environment in which Goldcorp will operate in the future, including
the price of gold, anticipated costs and ability to achieve goals.
Certain important factors that could cause actual results,
performances or achievements to differ materially from those in the
forward-looking statements include, among others, gold price
volatility, discrepancies between actual and estimated production,
mineral reserves and resources and metallurgical recoveries, mining
operational and development risks, litigation risks, regulatory
restrictions (including environmental regulatory restrictions and
liability), activities by governmental authorities (including
changes in taxation), currency fluctuations, the speculative nature
of gold exploration, the global economic climate, dilution, share
price volatility, competition, loss of key employees, additional
funding requirements and defective title to mineral claims or
property. Although Goldcorp has attempted to identify important
factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to
differ materially from those described in forward-looking
statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events
or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended.
Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown
risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause the
actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of
Goldcorp to be materially different from those expressed or implied
by such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to:
risks related to the integration of acquisitions; risks related to
international operations, including economical and political
instability in foreign jurisdictions in which Goldcorp operates;
risks related to current global financial conditions; risks related
to joint venture operations; actual results of current exploration
activities; environmental risks; future prices of gold, silver,
copper, lead and zinc; possible variations in ore reserves, grade
or recovery rates; mine development and operating risks; accidents,
labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry; delays in
obtaining governmental approvals or financing or in the completion
of development or construction activities; risks related to
indebtedness and the service of such indebtedness, as well as those
factors discussed in the section entitled "Description of the
Business - Risk Factors" in Goldcorp's annual information form for
the year ended December 31, 2009
available at www.sedar.com. Although Goldcorp has attempted to
identify important factors that could cause actual results to
differ materially from those contained in forward-looking
statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be
as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance
that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results
and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in
such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue
reliance on forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements
are made as of the date hereof and accordingly are subject to
change after such date. Except as otherwise indicated by Goldcorp,
these statements do not reflect the potential impact of any
non-recurring or other special items or of any dispositions,
monetizations, mergers, acquisitions, other business combinations
or other transactions that may be announced or that may occur after
the date hereof. Forward-looking statements are provided for the
purpose of providing information about management's current
expectations and plans and allowing investors and others to get a
better understanding of our operating environment. Goldcorp does
not undertake to update any forward-looking statements that are
included in this document, except in accordance with applicable
securities laws.
SOURCE Goldcorp Inc.
Copyright . 21 PR Newswire