Kirkland Lake gold miner, Beaverhouse First Nation sign cooperation deal

Danièle Spethmann, president, founder and CEO, said the company is "committed to responsible exploration across our very exciting project and to providing shared value and economic opportunities to BHFN." (Photo from video)

Kirkland Lake Discoveries Corp. has signed a cooperation agreement with Beaverhouse First Nation as the company moves ahead with exploration and the next phase of drilling at the Hurricane Zone on the Lucky Strike Property.

The agreement confirms the company’s “commitment to ongoing consultation and demonstrates the company’s willingness to establish a mutually beneficial, cooperative, and productive relationship with BHFN,” a recent news release said.

“The agreement commits the company to provide BHFN an opportunity to participate in the benefits of the project through access to business opportunities, employment and training.”

“Beaverhouse First Nation and the company have a long-standing relationship built on mutual respect and trust,” Danièle Spethmann, president, founder and CEO, is quoted as saying in the release.

“This agreement is the first step in formalizing that relationship. We are committed to responsible exploration across our very exciting project and to providing shared value and economic opportunities to BHFN. We are respectful and responsible stewards of the natural environment and acknowledge Beaverhouse First Nation’s traditional territories.”

Chief Wayne Wabie of the Beaverhouse First Nation said in the release that the community welcomes responsible development.

“Beaverhouse First Nation is pleased to have come to an initial agreement … that ensures exploration in our territory is executed with respect for the land and our people,” Wabie said.

“We look forward to working with Kirkland Lake Discoveries and to sharing in its successes.”

Kirkland Lake Discoveries recently consolidated a district-scale land package in the Kirkland Lake Gold Camp.

“The properties are hosted in the Abitibi Greenstone Belt, one of the world’s best-endowed greenstone belts, with 200+ million ounces of gold produced to date,” the release said.

The company’s holding includes 38,000 ha, more than 1,338 claims and 29 patented claims, making the company one of the largest landholders in the Kirkland Lake region.