Hundreds of people from Yukon attended the annual mining industry gathering last week, AME Roundupin Vancouver. This event, which brings together companies, investors, governments and suppliers from across Western Canada and beyond, provides an opportunity to take stock of the state of mining in the Yukon during the past year.
Hardrock mining and exploration in the Yukon was hit hard last year by the failure of heap leaching at the mine Eagle Gold of Victoria Goldone of two hard rock projects underway in the territory.
Although some figures are not yet known, the Yukon Geological Survey (YGS) estimates that mineral production was at least $190 million in 2024 compared to $513 million in 2023.
Exploration spending also fell by 9%.
The other hard rock mine in the territory, the project Keno Hill of Hecla, reported good silver production, with this metal representing just under 60% of total mineral production.
Placer mining record
The Yukon’s placer mining industry had a record season. It produced the largest quantity of gold recorded since 1886, 85,799 gross ounces. This represents a production value of $230 million.
The YGS attributes the windfall to high gold prices, good weather during the mining season and a slight increase in activity compared to the previous year.
The vast majority of placer mining projects, 70%, took place in the region of Dawson.
Hard rock exploration, for its part, remained active in the Yukon last year, despite the situationEagle Goldwith 84 projects in progress as of November 30, 2024.
Gold remains the most sought after mineral, followed by copper, silver, lead-zinc and tungsten.
More than 5,000 new quartz claims have been staked in 2024, including nearly 60% in the region. Whitehorse.
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Mining in the Yukon was among the topics of discussion at the annual industry gathering, Ame Roundup, held in Vancouver from January 20 to 23, 2025.
Photo : - / Jackie Hong/CBC
-The future of mining
The Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources, John Streickersaid he has had a number of conversations about the future of mining in Yukon, including the status of the territory’s new minerals law.
He also took advantage of his stay in Vancouver to organize meetings on other subjects, notably on the connection of the British Columbia electrical network to that of the Yukon.
Prime Minister Ranj Pillai was not available for an interview, but he highlighted the territory’s potential for essential minerals in a speech Monday at the Vancouver Resource Investment Conferencewhich was held on the sidelines of the show AME Roundup.
The Deputy Prime Minister, Jeanie McLean, for her part, spoke about community security during a roundtable, describing it as the foundation of economic reconciliation.
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As of November 30, 2024, there are 84 hard rock exploration projects underway in the Yukon.
Photo : - / Jackie Hong/CBC
The 2024 season has been difficult for some Yukon mining companies, including Banyan Goldwhose project AurMaclocated north of Mayo, has been threatened both by nearby wildfires and the failure of heap leachingEagle Gold.
Nevertheless, Tara Christie, the CEO of the mining company, claimed that Banyan Gold had succeeded in completing its drilling program planned for the fall.
She said she expects 2025 to be a little quieter.
Pour BMC Mineralsthe company behind the Kudz Ze Kayah project in southeastern Yukon, the CEO, Scott Donaldson, indicated that drilling results had been promising in 2024.
In addition to mining companies, companies that provide products or services to the industry also attend the show AME Roundup.
With information from Jackie Hong
