This paper serves as an update to an earlier paper published by the Yukon Geological Survey: New mineral potential mapping methodology for Yukon: case studies from the Beaver River and Dawson regional land use planning areas (Bullen, 2020). Since the release of the earlier paper, a number of the methods have been modified, and new techniques introduced. These are incorporated into this update paper — the reader is referred to the earlier paper for details of the method itself. Mineral potential maps have thus far been completed for the Beaver River watershed, and the Dawson, Teslin, Na-Cho Nyäk Dun, and Ross River regions. There have been significant updates made to the mineral potential mapping method: 1. Modifications to buffer distance and factors (these are an important fuzzy logic (i.e., non-Boolean) component of the mineral potential mapping process) to enhance mapping outcomes. 2. The introduction of an in-house generated, machine learning algorithm (unsupervised, clustering-type) to classify mineral potential in order to remove the potential for human bias. The method replaces the statistical, areas-under-the-curve approach used previously. 3. A new method for delineating anomalous stream sediment data based on the lithological makeup of each watershed basin. The method computes and compares expected assay values to actual assay values, with values exceeding a certain threshold taken as anomalous. The previous method did not take lithology into account, relying on simple percentile methods only, and was considered insufficiently robust. 4. A new method for categorizing mineral potential confidence. Mineral potential maps produced by the Geological Survey contain measures of bedrock mapping confidence to facilitate land use planning. The updated method is significantly more robust than that used previously. 5. Revisions to the map legend to account for the new, machine learning-based mineral potential categorization methodology. 6. Revisions to the map colour scheme to make them colour blind-safe.

Contains PDF maps of regional mineral potential by deposit models for Yukon. Also included is a PDF document containing methodology, limitations, and a description of the data used for the assessments. There are three directories: Report folder - open file report in WORD format and PDF format. Index folder- PDF map showing tract numbers; and PDF table of deposit models assessed in each tract. Maps folder - 18 PDF maps of regional mineral potential by individual deposit model.

Aggregate potential was analyzed and classified for a four-kilometre corridor centred on Yukon highways and in a 20 km radius around Yukon communities excluding Whitehorse to support maintenance and development of Yukon infrastructure. Aggregate potential scores are derived from existing surficial geology mapping; higher scores are given to map units containing gravel with minimal silt and clay. Scores are lowered for units where overburden must be stripped to access the aggregate or where permafrost is present. Results are presented in a series of maps and a digital geodatabase.

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The placer potential mapping process consisted of applying a classification rating of 1 to 5 (lowest to highest) for all streams within the planning area. Factors affecting a stream's potential included development history and hard rock mining potential (gold deposit potential). Terrain attributes such as potential overburden thichness, water flow, or local topography were not factored into the rating due to lack of knowledges for most unmined drainages.

The southwestern Yukon Coast Belt mapping project is a joint Yukon Geological Survey/Geological Survey of Canada initiative operated under Natural Resources Canada’s GEM (Geomapping for Energy and Minerals) program. This project is aimed at investigating the geological relationships and mineral potential of the Kluane Schist, the Ruby Range batholith and the Yukon-Tanana terrane in southwestern Yukon. Bedrock mapping at 1:50 000-scale followed a 400 m line-spaced aeromagnetic survey flown in the winter of 2010. Preliminary results indicate the presence of a northeast-dipping structural stack through an ~40 km-thick crustal section, whereby the Kluane Schist occupies the lowest structural level and the Yukon-Tanana terrane the highest. The Ruby Range batholith intruded along the contact between the Kluane Schist and the Yukon-Tanana terrane, and was emplaced late in the deformation history. An orthogneiss/paragneiss unit of unknown tectonic affinity was mapped structurally between the Ruby Range and the Kluane Schist. Detrital zircon analyses from two samples of Kluane Schist indicate that the onset of deposition for this metasedimentary sequence occurred after ca. 94 Ma. Two significant metamorphic events, dated at 82 and 70 Ma, affected the Kluane Schist. This indicates that original structural juxtaposition between the Kluane Schist and the Yukon-Tanana terrane pre-dated intrusion of the Ruby Range batholith. Mineral potential in the Coast Belt area is significant and includes porphyry Cu-Mo-Au, epithermal Au-Ag and orogenic Au occurrences. The upper level of the Ruby Range batholith is most prospective for porphyry and epithermal mineralization, while the Kluane Schist is most prospective for orogenic Au mineralization.

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for a copy of this paper please contact the Yukon Geological Survey; geology@gov.yk.ca.

The deposit models project is an attempt to classify the many known metallic mineral deposits and occurrences in Yukon into specific mineral deposit models. This work began with the initiation of regional mineral potential assessments by the Yukon government (e.g., Bradshaw and vanRanden, 2004). The quantitative method used for regional mineral assessments in Yukon is based on a method developed by the United States Geological Survey (USGS), which uses the mineral deposit models of Cox and Singer (1986). The reader is encouraged to consult this reference for further discussion on the fundamental purpose for defining mineral deposit models. In general terms, resource assessments require that tracts of land be assessed on the basis of probability for the occurrence of one or more specific deposits of a particular type with previously defined grades and tonnages. In the course of conducting regional mineral potential assessments, grade and tonnage information for deposit types that occur or potentially could occur in Yukon was compiled, grade and tonnage curves were constructed, and deposit models were assigned to known mineral deposits and occurrences (i.e., Yukon MINFILE occurrences).