The Grand Council of the Cree (Eeyou Istchee), the Cree Nation Government, the Cree Nation of Wemindji and Goldcorp Publicly Disclose the Opinagow Collaboration Agreement
Goldcorp Inc., the Cree Nation of Wemindji, the Grand Council of the Crees (Eeyou Istchee) and the Cree Nation Government publicly released the Opinagow Collaboration Agreement (excluding its financial terms) today, making certain details of the agreement related to the development and operation of Goldcorp’s Eleonore mine accessible to the public.
“Our relationship with the Crees is built on trust, collaboration and open communication, and with this step, we are illustrating those values in a tangible way so others can also become important supporters in the successful ongoing operation of the Éléonore Mine,” said Mr. Brent Bergeron, Executive Vice President, Corporate Affairs and Sustainability, Goldcorp. “We believe that the Agreement will be an excellent tool to assist Cree and other stakeholders to better understand what can be possible when all of the respective parties commit to working together toward shared objectives.”
The Opinagow Collaboration Agreement was signed on February 21th, 2011, providing a road map for a collaborative relationship regarding the development and operation of Goldcorp’s Éléonore mine in Eeyou Istchee, while respecting Cree traditional activities and ensuring the promotion of Cree economic and social development in a mutually beneficial manner.
“The Crees remain committed to building a strong relationship with Goldcorp, as embodied in the Opinagow Collaboration Agreement. We sincerely hope that the public release of the Agreement can serve as a tool to better engage Aboriginal communities and the mining industry in working together and building successful and long-standing partnerships.” said Grand Chief Dr. Matthew Coon Come, Grand Chief of the Grand Council of the Crees (Eeyou Istchee).
“I am glad that we can now distribute the Agreement freely in the Cree Nation and across the country so that people can learn from the balance we are achieving between protecting tradition while supporting natural resource development.” said Chief Dennis Georgekish of the Cree Nation of Wemindji.
“We have successfully overcome the challenges of developing and maintaining our relationship during the construction phase of the project and are confident in our ability to continue building on our relationship as the Éléonore mine ramps up commercial production,” said Guy Belleau, Eleonore Mine General Manager.
Éléonore is expected to produce between 290,000 and 330,000 ounces of gold in 2015 and, upon ramp-up to full capacity which is expected to be in the first half of 2018, between 500,000 and 600,000 ounces of gold per year over its productive mine life. The mine employs 1,265 people, of which 21% (271) self-identify as Aboriginal.
Governments, authorities and administrators will also benefit from access to the Opinagow Collaboration Agreement (excluding its financial terms) by gaining insight on how the parties are actively addressing local and regional issues of communication, monitoring and integration of land use interests.
Although the Opinagow Collaboration Agreement is tailored to the particular structure of the Cree Nation of Eeyou Istchee to be compatible with its internal integrated regional and local government structures as well as the governance philosophy of Goldcorp, the Parties trust that the disclosure of the Opinagow Collaboration Agreement (excluding its financial terms) will provide one more example to the mining industry on the ways Aboriginal communities and mining companies can successfully work together to make sustainable commitments to one another for the mutually beneficial successful development, operation and reclamation of a project.
Insofar as the financial terms are concerned, the parties will have further discussions once the legislative framework applicable thereto is established.
The redacted version of the Opinagow Collaboration agreement is available on the web site of the Grand Council of the Crees (Eeyou Istchee) at http://www.gcc.ca/pdf/Amended_Opinagow_Collaboration_Agreement.PDF
SOURCE:
For the Grand Council of the Crees (Eeyou Istchee) and the Cree Nation Government
Mr. Andy Baribeau
Tel.: (514) 349-7629
abaribeau@cngov.ca
For the Cree Nation of Wemindji
Chief Dennis Georgekish
Tel.: (819) 978-0264
chief@wemindji.ca
For Goldcorp
Mr. Brent Bergeron
Tel.: (604) 696-3024
brent.bergeron@goldcorp.com
About the Grand Council of the Crees (Eeyou Istchee)
The Grand Council of the Crees (Eeyou Istchee) is the political body that represents the approximately 18,000 Crees or “Eeyouch” (or “Eenouch”). The Board of Directors of the Grand Council of the Crees (Eeyou Istchee) is constituted of twenty (20) members including: the Grand Chief and Deputy Grand Chief elected at large by the Eeyouch, the Chiefs elected by each of the nine (9) recognized Cree communities, and one (1) other representative elected by each community. The head office of the Grand Council of the Crees (Eeyou Istchee) is in the Cree community of Nemaska. The Grand Council of the Crees (Eeyou Istchee) also has offices in Montreal, Quebec City and Ottawa.
About the Cree Nation Government
The Cree Nation Government (formerly the Cree Regional Authority (“CRA”) established pursuant to the James Bay and Northern Québec Agreement) exercises certain municipal powers on Category II lands and is responsible for land use and development planning, environmental protection, the hunting, fishing and trapping regime, economic and community development, Cree governance and other matters as decided by the Board of Directors. The Council of the Cree Nation Government is composed of the same representatives as the Board of Directors of the Grand Council of the Crees (Eeyou Istchee). These two bodies often act jointly and are commonly referred to as the “Council/Board”.
About the Cree Nation of Wemindji
The Cree Nation of Wemindji is located on the east coast of James Bay in Northern Quebec and has an approximate population of 1,400 residents. Wemindji is a vibrant community deeply rooted in Cree tradition with a multitude of services available including health care and social services, public safety, fire department, police services, elementary and high school education, as well as adult education, and daycare services.
About Goldcorp
Goldcorp (TSX: G, NYSE: GG) is one of the world's fastest growing gold producers. Its low-cost gold production is located in safe jurisdictions in the Americas and remains 100% unhedged. www.goldcorp.com
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 Section 21E of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, Section 27A of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended 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 economic 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, 2014 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.
