Mining is expected to remain as Yukon's most important industry during the next 5-10 years. The future prosperity of the mining industry in Yukon depends on the discovery of new mineral deposits. These new discoveries will depend on up to date geoscientific research: geological mapping, geochemical and geophysical surveys, and mineral deposit studies. Government and First Nations also need the results of this research to evaluate mineral potential and assist with land use planning and environmental impact assessments. With this in mind, the Geological Survey of Canada, Northern Affairs Program (DIAND), Government of Yukon and the Yukon Chamber of Mines collaborated on a 2-day workshop in April, 1995, to identify and prioritize Yukon's Geoscience requirements for the next 5 to 10 years. This document summarizes the results of the workshop. It represents a consensus between the four sponsoring agencies, based on input from 34 geoscientists currently working in Yukon, and will be used in planning geoscientific research to ensure that priorities are met and that maximum value is obtained from available funding.

The Yukon Placer Mining Industry report reflects the strong relationship between the Yukon Geological Survey (YGS) and the Yukon placer mining industry. Our annual tours into the various gold fields are always productive and provide new details on placer gold settings, which this report encapsulates.

The Yukon Placer Industry Report is a reflection of the strong working relationship between the Yukon Geological Survey (YGS) and the Yukon placer mining industry. Our annual tours into the various gold fields are always productive and provide new details on placer gold settings, which are encapsulated in this report.

This volumes contains overviews on Yukon Mining, Development and Exploration, Placer Mining, Mining Incentives Program, and activities of the Yukon Geological Survey. Exploration expenditures in Yukon have continued their dramatic rise for the third consecutive year, with an estimated $53 million spent exploring for a wide range of commodities. The majority of expenditures were on advanced stage projects.

This volume contains overviews on Yukon Mining, Development and Exploration, Placer Mining, the Mining Incentives Program, and activities of the Yukon Geological Survey. Mineral exploration in Yukon has reached record levels with over $80 million spent on the search for base and precious metals, coal, gemstones and uranium in 2006. Exploration for gold attracted the largest share of the exploration dollars, capturing 35%, followed by zinc at 22%, uranium 15%, copper 12%, silver 7%, tungsten and molybdenum 6%, and the remainder being spent on coal and gemstones. Mine development expenditures have also increased dramatically with an estimated $50 million being spent on the Minto mine, which is scheduled to be in production in the second quarter of 2007. The total development costs at Minto are estimated to be $107 million. Exploration activity at all levels in Yukon, from grassroots stages to advanced exploration, has experienced a dramatic increase. A total of 70 of the approximately 150 exploration projects in Yukon had expenditures of greater than $100 000, with 21 of these projects spending more than $1 million.

The Yukon hosts numerous deposits that have been mined in the past, and the highly prospective geology continues to attract exploration interest. It lays claim to 2,700 known mineral occurrences and over 80 mineral deposits with established reserves, a number of which are world-class. The recent advances in mineral deposit modelling have brought fresh ideas about where and how to look for new deposits. The Yukon is entering a new era of economic partnerships and investment opportunities that are based on government-to-government relationships with First Nations, who are becoming full partners in the territory’s resource development. If ever there was a good time to take a look, this is it. Come explore and discover the Yukon.

Placer mining in the Yukon remains a strong and innovative industry, and has the potential for a modern record-high reporting this season. The number of active operations is similar to previous years and 147 of them reported sluicing activity. Of the active operations, 72% are in the Dawson area, 20% are in central Yukon (South McQuesten, Mayo, Keno, Canadian, Big and Nansen) and 8% are in southern Yukon (Kluane, Livingstone, Whitehorse South, Nisutlin). For the sixth consecutive year, reported placer gold production exceeds 70,000 crude ounces. Crude ounces represent an unrefined measure. Placer gold can contain inclusions of quartz or other matrix material or impurities such as silver and copper. These impurities, on average, account for 20% of the mass.

This volume contains overviews on Yukon Mining, Development and Exploration, Placer Mining, Mining Incentives Program, and activities of the Yukon Geological Survey. Mineral exploration in Yukon increased dramatically in 2004 with estimated total expenditures of $22 million, compared to $13 million spent in 2003. Most was spent on gold exploration, with less spent on base metals and gemstones. The number of new mineral claims staked also rose substantially in 2004, as did the claims in good standing. Current or anticipated mining development projects in Yukon include: the Wolverine (Zn-Cu-Pb-Ag-Au) project, the Carmacks Copper (Cu-Au) project and the Minto (Cu-Au-Ag) and Keno Hill (Ag-Pb) projects.

Financing of Yukon exploration projects on equity markets was extremely challenging in 2019. This lack of investment had a trickle-down effect to many Yukon exploration projects. The exploration industry cited a number of factors as the cause of the decline in the attractiveness of Yukon for investment including permitting uncertainty, land withdrawals, and a general lack of infrastructure. Because of these challenges explorers showed considerable interest in the 2019 YMEP program as one of the few sources of risk capital. The YGS received 99 applications seeking more than $3.2M. Funding for the YMEP was $1.4M in 2019.

Even though standard churn drilling techniques may be recommended in placer gold sampling programs, other methods may prove to be more satisfactory. It is necessary that other methods also be considered in an attempt to lower costs. The time required to drill a hole must be considered too, especially in the evaluation of potentially large economic auriferous gravel deposits. Each placer deposit may have certain characteristics and ultimate requirements which will prevent any one technique from being considered "best". Consequently, several types of evaluation methods are described.