GOLDCORP - RED LAKE GOLD…

GOLDCORP - RED LAKE GOLD MINES Bag 2000, Mine Road Balmertown, ON P0V 1C0 CANADA TEL (807) 735-2077 FAX (807) 735-2765 www.goldcorp.com October 15, 2009 Ministry of Natural Resources Natural Resource Management Division Ontario Parks - Woodland Caribou Provincial Park 227 Howey Street Red Lake, ON, P0V 2M0 ATTENTION: Doug Gilmore, Park Superintendent Dear Sirs: RE: Regulation to the Dedicated Protected Areas identified in the Whitefeather Forest Land Use Strategy In response to the public notification regarding the Regulation of the Dedicated Protected Areas identified in the Whitefeather Forest Land Use Strategy, we offer the following comments. Based on our review of the information provided on the website, it seems that Pikangikum First Nation, through the Keeping the Land - A Land Use Strategy for the Whitefeather Forest and Adjacent Areas (June 2006) will be an active partner in the land use planning process for the Whitefeather Forest and adjacent areas. We also understand that integral to the land use planning process will be the harmonization of Indigenous Knowledge and practices into resource management. As well, we have noted that land use planning is also intended to provide primary economic benefits to Pikangikum First Nation and in particular youth who are in need of new livelihood opportunities. Further to the above, we note that the guiding philosophy for Keeping the Land is comprised of three key components: 1) Stewardship Strategy 2) Customary Activities 3) Economic Development It is further stated in the document that “Each of these components is an interlocking piece of a single,larger whole: the customary relationship of Pikangikum people to the land which we have cared for since time immemorial. These three components are inseparable on a practical level.” We want to state clearly that Goldcorp is very supportive of the above described approach and as a responsible corporation would very much like to collaborate with Pikangikum First Nation to explore for and develop mineral properties in the future for the mutual benefits of Pikangikum, Goldcorp and the province. Having said, our deep rooted concerns lie with the perceived position of the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) which appears to run contrary to that of Pikangikum First Nation described above. We feel that the express intent of the MNR is to eliminate even the remote possibility of mineral resource development in a large area through the regulation of a substantial portion of the Whitefeather Forest as provincial parks. Upon reviewing MNR policy reports for other park designated areas within the same geographic area we note that potentially economically viable commercial activities such as mineral exploration and development, aggregate extraction, energy transmission and commercial forestry are all activities which are expressly prohibited within designated Provincial park areas. If the collaboration of Pikangikum and MNR in the land use planning process is to include possibilities for economic development on equal footing then simply stated, why is the intent to remove in excess of 30% of the 1.3 million hectares of the Whitefeather Forest area from the possibility of such development now and the foreseeable future? If this is truly the intent, then we are formally opposed to such designation of these vast tracts of land and any discussion of boundary refinements would be a mute point at this time. Surely there are other mechanisms, other than park designations that can be discussed and agreed upon that will still satisfy the stewardship element of the Keeping the Land initiative; mechanisms that would not result in the elimination of potentially viable economic development opportunities for all parties. We are also deeply concerned that MNR as the primary land use planning partner with Pikangikum First Nation does not adequately represent the interests of the mineral exploration and development industry or any other industries for that matter. We as a mining industry member recognize and subscribe to Pikangikum First Nation’s aspirations to be integral to the land use planning process for this area. We are concerned that the long term benefits of mineral development may never be realized if the land is designated park prior to the technological awareness or geologic discovery of mineral wealth. Given the troubled economic climate of our Province (recognized as the worst economic crisis since the 1930’s), we anticipate that other like minded industry partners could be sought out, engaged and actively involved in these land use planning discussions for the benefit of all parties and still be consistent with the aspirations of Pikangikum First Nation as the primary land use planning partner. On a final point, we would like to note that Goldcorp does not currently have any active mining claims in the area. Our position is that designating vast tracts of land as parks without meaningful discussion about economic development opportunities with other potential partners is counter intuitive to the future economic development aspirations of the people of Pikangikum First Nation. The mining industry’s future lies in the search for new discoveries and proposals of this nature ultimately reduce these opportunities. Respectfully, Michael Lalonde, Mine General Manager Red Lake Gold Mines cc: Pikangikum First Nation – via priority post and fax 807 773 5536 Honorable Michael Gravelle, Minister Northern Development and Mines – via priority post and fax 416 327 0665

[Original Comment ID: 124341]