There are currently more than 30 MacLean mining vehicles servicing the gold miner's Nunavut operations, specifically the new Meliadine underground mine and the Amaruq Whale Tail underground project.

The fleet comprises various production support vehicles that are used for rock bolting, concrete transporting, material transporting, explosives charging, shotcrete spraying, secondary reduction drilling, mobile rock breaking, as well as elevated platform maintenance and services installation.

Patrick Tagoona, president of Nunavut Investments, which works to develop successful businesses in the region, believes this type of partnership is how resource development should be done.

"I am excited to partner with a leading mining vehicle manufacturer in support of a leading mining company that is creating sustainable job and business opportunities for the Kivalliq," he said.

MacLean president Kevin MacLean said this was the manufacturer's third aboriginal agreement in Canada; it also has a First Nation partnership for Newmont Goldcorp's Borden mine in Ontario, as well as First Nation and Inuit partnerships for Vale's Voisey's Bay project in Newfoundland and Labrador.

The new business, Nunavut MacLean, will offer local field support and servicing for the MacLean mining vehicles.