Territory-wide mineral potential mapping in Yukon was last conducted 18 years ago. An updated suite of maps for land use planning is, therefore, necessary. The YGS has developed a new GIS-based mapping process for this purpose. Industry-based applications using the new method will be developed going forward. The approach makes use of mineral system components that potentially contribute to metal accumulations in an area. The method is a hybrid between a classic data-driven probabilistic approach and an expert-driven fuzzy logic approach. It is non-specific in terms of commodity and/or deposit type – however, the claim and assessment report footprint data that are integral to the mapping process capture these important components. The procedure makes use of block modeling techniques where each block is assigned a prospectivity and (bedrock mapping) confidence score. Calculations are based on the presence or absence of categorical features within unit cells, and the scores represent the posterior favourability of each cell. Evidential layers are weighted according to buffer distance and/or through the application of knowledge-based factors. Lithology classes are factored using a multiclass weights-of-evidence approach. Mineral potential and confidence scores are converted to either a 1, 2 or 3 according to a defined mathematical schema. The values are then combined – blocks with scores of 1:1 have the lowest mineral potential/lowest confidence whereas blocks with scores of 3:3 have the highest mineral potential/highest confidence. Nine possible combinations exist. Mineral potential maps containing measures of both potential and confidence are generated based on the cumulative contrast values. Areas cut by major structures along which significant displacement has occurred need to be evaluated separately, and then stitched back together at the end of the assessment process. Concurrently, the mineral potential data need to be leveled to account for prospectivity differences across the structure concerned.

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.

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.

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

This paper provides a high-level overview of the Yukon Geological Survey’s (YGS) activities in 2023. Several of the projects described here are presented in more detail in the 2023 Yukon Exploration and Geology technical papers volume. References to these are included where applicable. The YGS had a challenging year in 2023. Wildfires and landslides punctuated the field season, disrupting field plans for some, and requiring work priorities to be adapted. Additionally, the survey had six staff members leave and two others were on extended absences, which had an impact on operations. Despite a reduced capacity, YGS staff continued to deliver on projects and fill client requests for information. Recruitment efforts are underway and YGS anticipates seeing growth in the coming year. Looking forward, 2024 marks the start of the survey’s next five-year planning cycle. The YGS has started preparing for discussions among staff, research partners and clients about knowledge gaps and emerging needs. Readers are welcome to reach out and share their project ideas or suggest ways to improve on data delivery.

This overview provides a summary of research highlights for 2022. Many of the projects described here are presented in more detail in the Yukon Exploration and Geology technical papers that are released with this Overview volume. Two highlights from 2022 are worth noting this year. First, 2022 marks the 30th anniversary of YGS. Since its creation, the Survey has grown and evolved into a multi-disciplinary organization that provides expertise across a range of disciplines (bedrock geology, regional tectonics, glacial history, geohazards and metallogeny) and excels at geoscience education and information management. The second noteworthy event to point out was the discovery of a mummified baby woolly mammoth (Nun Cho Ga) in June on Upper Eureka Creek. Two Survey staff had the privilege of assisting with the recovery of the mammoth and participating in the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in First Nation ceremony that marked this scientifically and culturally important discovery. Jeff Bond subsequently mapped the discovery site in detail, documenting the conditions that led to the remarkable preservation of Nun Cho Ga.

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.

This publication is intended as a snapshot of the hard rock mineral resources of Yukon. It is up-to-date as of December 1, 2023. The tables herein have been compiled from information derived from Yukon MINFILE – A database of mineral occurrences, and from various technical reports and information filed in SEDAR (system for electronic document analysis and retrieval). This document does not include cut-off grades for resources and reserves. Numbers have been rounded for readability. Tonnages and grade are provided in metric measure – converted from imperial as required. Total contained metals are estimated as a result of tonnage multiplied by grade; reported values are converted to either metric or imperial as required. Amounts are for all deposits/zones on the property. Deposit resources are identified as being compliant with either the minimum requirement for mineral resources and reserves as defined by the Canadian National Instrument for the standards of disclosure for mineral projects (NI 43-101), the Australasian code for reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves (JORC) standards or the disclosure requirements for the mining companies in the United States, in accordance to the Securities and Exchange Commission Industry Guide 7 (S-K 1300). Deposits that are not compliant with these definitions are identified as historical estimates. The Owner/optionee indicate the company owner as stated in the resource estimate or on the company website. In the case of historical resource calculations where there is no resource estimate or website available, the owner is the registered quartz claim holder. The reader is encouraged to refer to the original reference for detailed information. We accept no responsibility for any errors or omissions.

The information in this Mineral Property Update publication was compiled by the Yukon Geological Survey, Department of Energy, Mines and Resources, Yukon government. Data was obtained from press releases, Yukon MINFILE, mining company websites, the SEDAR.com website, property production records, initial environmental evaluations and from information graciously supplied by property owners. This publication was originally compiled by Lori Walton, with recent updating by Ken Galambos, Lara Lewis and Steve Traynor. In some instances, employment and power requirement figures were not available and estimates were used. Please let us know of any errors or omissions. Although the Department of Energy, Mines and Resources cannot take responsibility for the accuracy of the data provided, we would like to keep this document as accurate and up-to-date as possible.

This volume is the complete set of overview papers for 2017: Summary of YGS activities Placer mining summary YMEP Hard rock mining, development and exploration summary Osiris and Plateau property summaries Leckie award winners List of YGS publications for 2017