TSX: G
NYSE: GG
VANCOUVER, Nov. 24, 2014 /CNW/ - GOLDCORP
INC. (TSX: G, NYSE: GG) announced today that
Porcupine Gold Mines has signed a Resource Development Agreement
with four First Nation communities including Mattagami First
Nation, Wahgoshig First Nation, Matachewan First Nation and Flying
Post First Nation. The agreement establishes a framework for
continued consultation on existing and future operations in the
Timmins area and defines long-term
benefits for the four First Nation communities.
Under the agreement, Goldcorp recognizes and
respects Aboriginal rights and interests in the area of the
Porcupine Gold Mines operation and the four First Nation
communities recognize and support Goldcorp's rights and interests
in the operation and future development of the mine. The agreement
also reflects Goldcorp's commitment to protecting the environment
and supporting Aboriginal social and cultural practices in a spirit
of continued collaboration.
"Goldcorp recognizes the importance of working
with and learning from local First Nation communities in areas
where we operate. This agreement creates the foundation for a
lasting relationship built on trust, mutual respect and
constructive engagement. It contributes to the sustainable
development of our operations and provides long-term economic
benefits to Mattagami, Wahgoshig, Matachewan and Flying Post First Nations,"
said Marc Lauzier, Mine General
Manager at Goldcorp's Porcupine Gold Mines.
"This is an important milestone for our First
Nation as it validates what our ancestors said in the Treaty
signing. Our connection to the land is being recognized," said
Chief Murray Ray of Flying Post
First Nation. "This signing also gives our people hope for the
future, as this partnership gives us an opportunity to become more
self-sufficient so that our families and children can have a better
future. This was what our grandfathers and ancestors wanted when
they agreed to the treaty."
"I am pleased that we have managed to enter into
an agreement with Goldcorp that has benefits to Matachewan First
Nation and will provide hope and opportunity for the future. I
thank all the other Chiefs involved and our Wabun Tribal Council
administration for all the work done to make this agreement a
reality," added Chief Elenore
Hendrix of Matachewan First Nation.
Negotiations began over five years ago.
While some of the faces at the table changed over the years, the
spirit of cooperation and mutual respect stayed the same over that
period.
Chief Walter
Naveau of Mattagami First Nation said "This agreement has
been a long wait for me as Chief and for our community. We are
thankful to Goldcorp and the other First Nations involved for
creating a meaningful negotiation process based on respect, open
dialogue and the goal of creating mutual benefits. I am also
grateful to Shawn Batise and Wabun
Tribal Council for helping to establish a ground breaking agreement
that others can look up to."
The agreement includes provisions for training,
employment, business and contracting opportunities along with a
consultation framework for regulatory permitting. Scholarship
and bursary opportunities will also be provided for the youth of
Mattagami, Wahgoshig, Matachewan
and Flying Post First Nations. "This agreement is about building
capacity in the communities and fostering a lasting partnership
through transparent and open information-sharing," said
Lauzier.
Chief David Babin
of Wahgoshig First Nation said "I am very pleased that Goldcorp
negotiated this Resource Development Agreement with the four
impacted First Nations surrounding Timmins, including Wahgoshig First
Nation. Goldcorp has demonstrated a willingness to work with
the First Nations surrounding Timmins and provide real and tangible benefits
and opportunities to help build capacity. This Agreement will
be another example of how industry and First Nations can work
successfully together."
About Goldcorp
Goldcorp is one of the world's fastest growing
gold producers, with operations and development projects located in
safe jurisdictions throughout the Americas. A Canadian
company headquartered in Vancouver,
British Columbia, Goldcorp employs more than 15,000 people
worldwide. The Company is committed to responsible mining
practices and is well positioned to deliver sustained,
industry-leading growth and performance.
About Mattagami First Nation
Mattagami First Nation is situated on ancient
Native land that has long been home to the Ojibway and OjiCree
people from the Mattagami River and Mattagami Lake areas and as far
as the Moose River head waters on the James Bay coast. The First Nation is
located on the northwest side of the beautiful Mattagami Lake.
Translated, the Ojibway word 'Mattagami' means 'Meeting Of The
Waters'. Mattagami FN is located about 20 kilometres
north-east of Gogama and is
accessible by road five kilometres from Highway 144. The
community is 80 kilometers from Timmins,
Ontario.
About Wahgoshig First Nation
Nestled in a village near Matheson Ontario with a population of 234, the
Wahgoshig First Nation reserve encompasses 19,239 acres; the north
end meets the south shore of Abitibi Lake, which divides North
Eastern Ontario from North Western Quebec. Accessible from Highway
101, the village occupies 70 hectares of flat land adjacent to
Blueberry Lake.
About Flying Post First Nation
Flying Post First Nation, formerly an independent
First Nation in the Nishnawbe-Aski Nation (NAN) territory, joined
the Wabun Tribal Council in 2007 to become a member First Nation to
be represented by the organization. Most of the First Nation
members are located near Nipigon
but others live in different parts of the country. Flying Post
First Nation members are in the process of establishing their
community on their reserve lands west of Timmins. The actual Flying Post First Nation
reserve lands are located north-west of Timmins, Ontario along the Ground Hog River
about an hour north of Malette Road just outside the city.
About Matachewan First Nation
Matachewan First Nation is an historic northern
First Nation community that has served as the traditional home for
many First Nation families. It is still home to a growing
community and the First Nation is actively taking part in
partnering and working with the resource development industry in
establishing mutually beneficial agreements. The First Nation
also prides itself in being able to work with industry with a focus
on protecting the environment and ecology on their traditional
lands in northeastern Ontario. The
community is located approximately 30 kilometers southeast of the
town of Matachewan and about 60
kilometers west of Kirkland Lake
off of Highway 66.
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,
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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,
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and estimated production, mineral reserves and resources and
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to identify important factors that could cause actual actions,
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and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that
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but not limited to: risks related to the integration of
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economic and political instability in foreign jurisdictions in
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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,
2013 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
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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
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SOURCE Goldcorp Inc.