First Nation, mining company tout business partnership.

Pic Mobert First Nation said it's starting to reap the rewards of its partnership with Harte Gold, a fledgling gold producer near White River.

An impact-benefit agreement signed earlier this year with the company has "yielded numerous and substantial contracts" related to the underground gold mine development, said a news release from White Lake Limited Partnership, the business development arm of the northwestern Ontario First Nation community.

Pic Mobert Chief Johanna Desmoulin was at the mine site, 25 kilometres north of White River, on Aug. 14, to announce "several positive developments" in the working relationship they've been cultivating with the company since 2009.

Harte Gold's Sugar Zone Mine, which is scheduled to go into commercial production in September, is in the traditional territory of Pic Mobert.

According to Desmoulin, White Lake LP is running the 100-person camp located in White River through joint ventures with the Morris Group and Oudand Camps.

Anishinabek Total Security Solution is providing site security through a partnership with Norpro, and general labourers from Pic Mobert are gaining experience at the mine site.

Apparently, there's more good news on the horizon.

The news release said they're discussing a long-term procurement strategy with Harte to guide future projects.

In a statement, Desmoulins was...