The Yukon takes decisive action to make mining more predictable

Press Release

March 2, 2026

The Government of Yukon is taking clear, decisive steps to make our territory more competitive, predictable and attractive for mineral exploration and mining investment. Mining is the territory’s largest private-sector employer, providing high-paying jobs and real benefits to Yukoners and communities.

On Sunday, at the Invest North of 60 event during the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada Conference in Toronto, Energy, Mines and Resources Minister Ted Laking announced the following key initiatives.

Restructuring the Minerals Resources Branch

The government is restructuring the Mineral Resources Branch of the Department of Energy, Mines and Resources. The new structure will put the regulator in a strong position to provide long-term implementation of the recommendations of the Independent Review Board on the Eagle mine failure. The new branches will consist of:

• Major Mines and Technical Services – Focused on providing clear permitting pathway support and project navigation for mine development projects which will help to reduce delays and improve coordination. The Major Mines Branch will provide support to major mines and critical minerals projects that are close to production in order to support the Government of Canada’s Critical Minerals Strategy and Arctic Sovereignty objectives.
• Mineral Tenure and Exploration – Focused on permitting quartz and placer exploration and ensuring a fair and transparent process to secure mineral tenure in the Yukon. The Mineral Tenure and Exploration Branch will improve service standards for these areas, while respecting consultation obligations with Yukon First Nations and increase transparency and certainty in the permitting processes.

Establishing a Deputy Minister’s Oversight Committee on Major Mines and Critical Minerals

• The new committee will bring together senior leadership of government to align departments, streamline decision making and provide consistent, timely responses. It will help address fragmented processes giving proponents the regulatory certainty and predictability needed to plan and invest with confidence.

Collaborating with the Northwest Territories and Nunavut

The Yukon is uniting with its northern neighbours to push the federal government for stronger support, including:

• investments in critical minerals infrastructure, such as power and transportation, to unlock development potential; and
• improved tax incentives to make northern jurisdictions more competitive on the global stage. This coordinated advocacy positions Yukon as a leader in responsibly producing the critical minerals Canada and its allies need.

These actions cut barriers, boost efficiency and enhance transparency while maintaining a strong commitment to sustainability, partnerships with First Nations governments, safety and community benefits. The Yukon is open for responsible mining business.

We are taking decisive action to make our territory’s regulatory processes more predictable and transparent. These changes position the Yukon as a competitive leader in critical minerals and will help ensure that we can deliver timely and efficient service for the benefit and long-term prosperity for Yukoners and our communities. We remain committed to upholding our consultation obligations with Yukon First Nations as we advance this work.

Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources Ted Laking

Quick facts

• The Prospectors and Developers Association is the national organization of the mineral exploration and development sectors. Its annual conference in Toronto draws tens of thousands of attendees.
• The Invest North of 60 event is held by the three territorial governments to promote mineral development opportunities across the North.

Media contact

Tim Kucharuk
Press Secretary, Cabinet Communications
867-335-2419
tim.kucharuk@yukon.ca

John Thompson
Communications, Energy, Mines and Resources
867-332-6042
john.thompson@yukon.ca

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