The Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency is providing the White River First Nation with $76,000 to negotiate a formal working relationship with a mineral exploration company.
The money, announced this week, is to negotiate plans with Kaminak Gold Corporation on the development of the Coffee Creek Gold project.
The Coffee Creek project is a high-grade oxidized gold site about 120 kilometres south of Dawson City.
The communication and co-operation memorandum with Kaminak Gold is to protect traditional knowledge and define business opportunities, environmental issues and job opportunities during the exploration phase of the project, the federal government said.
“WRFN is thankful to Canada for helping facilitate the development of an agreement on Kaminak’s mineral exploration activities taking place in our traditional territory,” said Janet VanderMeer, lands co-ordinator for the First Nation.
“Should we conclude an agreement, it will establish the terms of a respectful, mutually beneficial bilateral relationship with our government and the company during the exploration phase.”
Since 2010, Kaminak has drilled 16 separate and distinct gold discoveries, according to the company.