TSX: G NYSE: GG
VANCOUVER, Dec. 9, 2013 /CNW/ - GOLDCORP INC. (TSX: G, NYSE: GG) today announced that negotiations are continuing
between Minera Peñasquito S.A. de C.V. ("Minera Peñasquito") and
authorized representatives of the Cerro Gordo Ejido with a view to
reaching a mutually beneficial settlement of a land claim.
These negotiations are taking place under the official observation of
the office of the Mexican Secretary of the Economy and Goldcorp
believes that proper representatives of both parties are currently
engaged in a constructive process. Goldcorp has recently received
notice from a Canadian law firm purporting to represent the Cerro
Gordo Ejido threatening to commence litigation against Goldcorp in
Canada concerning these same lands, in an apparent effort
to disrupt the ongoing negotiations and legal process from continuing
under the auspices of the Mexican judicial system. Goldcorp
and Minera Peñasquito have assessed the underlying allegations of the
proposed litigation and believe they are baseless and without merit and
will vigorously defend any claim if one is filed. Goldcorp believes it
is in the best interests of all concerned to continue with the good
faith efforts toward a mutually beneficial settlement rather than
engage in litigation in Canada that could indefinitely defer any final
resolution of this matter.
Goldcorp will continue to employ all legal means at its disposal to
ensure continuity of operations and to protect the Company's mineral
concession rights consistent with Mexican law. Operations at the
Peñasquito mine have not been impacted.
In 2005, prior to construction of the Peñasquito mine, an agreement was
negotiated with the Cerro Gordo Ejido for the use of 600 hectares
(approximately 1,483 acres) of surface land located within the confines
of the proposed Peñasquito mine site. The terms of the agreement were
based on comparable surface valuations in the region as well as on
similar agreements at Peñasquito and other Mexican mining
operations. In 2009, the Cerro Gordo Ejido commenced an action
against Minera Peñasquito in Mexico's agrarian courts challenging
the land use agreement. Following a series of legal proceedings, the
agrarian courts ruled on June 18, 2013 that the land use agreement
was null and ordered the land to be returned to the Cerro
Gordo Ejido for payment of 2.4 million pesos. Three separate claims are
currently proceeding in the First District Court of Zacatecas by
the Cedros and Mazapil Ejidos and a local transportation union which
have resulted in the temporary and permanent suspension of the agrarian
court's ruling. Under a permanent suspension, the agrarian court's
ruling is suspended pending final determination of
the Cedros Ejido's claim following appeal.
Peñasquito is the largest gold producer in Mexico and employs
approximately 3,000 employees of which approximately 85% are from local
communities. The mine generates over 6,000 direct and indirect jobs for
Mexican families.
Goldcorp is one of the world's fastest growing senior gold producers.
Its low-cost gold production is located in safe jurisdictions in the
Americas and remains 100% unhedged.
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 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, 2012 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.
SOURCE Goldcorp Inc.