TORONTO (miningweekly.com) – Canadian miner Goldcorp and the Wabauskang First Nation this week inked a collaboration agreement that paved the way for long-term economic benefits for the north-western Ontario First Nation.

The new agreement, which marked Goldcorp's sixth First Nation partnership in Canada, provided a framework for strengthened collaboration in developing and operating the Red Lake gold mines.

A signing ceremony was held on Thursday in the Wabauskang community.

Goldcorp now had collaboration agreements in place with all of the First Nations that asserted aboriginal and treaty rights in the vicinity of its active operations in Canada, including Red Lake, Musselwhite, Porcupine and Éléonore.

"This new agreement is about so much more than economic benefits. It's about long-term partnership, open dialogue and shared prosperity. It demonstrates our company's ongoing commitment to develop Northern Ontario's natural resources in a mutually-beneficial and sustainable way, and will bring well-deserved recognition to the people of Wabauskang,” Goldcorp executive VP of corporate affairs and sustainability Brent Bergeron said.

Wabauskang Chief Martine Petiquan added that the agreement was a significant achievement for the community.

“Agreements like this one are an essential part of ensuring that our Treaty rights are respected when companies want to develop the lands and resources in our territory,” Petiquan noted.

Based on a series of community meetings that generated broad support from both parties, the collaboration agreement outlined tangible benefits for Wabauskang, including skills training and employment, opportunities for business development and contracting, and a framework for issues resolution, regulatory permitting and Goldcorp's future financial contributions.

"First Nations communities have an incredible opportunity to benefit from resource development. This agreement is an excellent example of industry and First Nations working together to build long-term partnerships that will ensure responsible development while bringing employment and economic opportunities to First Nations communities,” Canada's Natural Resources Minister Greg Rickford said.

Red Lake was among Goldcorp's top producing operations, yielding more than 400 000 oz of gold in 2014. The company was expanding development in the Red Lake area through its Cochenour project, which was expected to produce first ore from production stopes later this year.

This new collaboration agreement solidified the relationship between both parties and would facilitate any potential regulatory permitting affecting the Red Lake mine and the Cochenour project.