Yukon government provides update on implementation of Independent Review Board recommendations

Press Release

April 16, 2026

The Government of Yukon is implementing all recommendations of the Independent Review Board that examined the failure of the Eagle Gold Mine. The government is also working with industry to ensure these recommendations are incorporated into ongoing operations as part of its commitment to modernize minerals legislation and advance regulatory improvements.

Of the 56 recommendations, 23 are implemented, six are in progress and 27 are expected to be completed by spring 2027.

Many of the recommendations will be captured in the Government of Yukon’s Guidelines for Mine Waste Management Facilities, which are currently being reviewed and upheld. Some are being put into practice but will not be considered complete until the guidelines are updated. This review will involve external experts and is expected to be complete by spring 2027.

The Government of Yukon has included $729,000 to support this work in Budget 2026. This is in addition to the $210,000 included in the December 2025 Supplementary Budget to begin this work last year.

Work to date includes:

• creating a Major Mines and Technical Services Branch dedicated to increased regulatory oversight of major mines;
• hiring experts to support regulatory and enforcement work;
• increasing personnel to strengthen major mines inspections;
• training enforcement staff to identify risks and early warning signs at mine sites;
• completing legislative review and confirming that legislative changes are not necessary to implement recommendations;
• launching a compliance and enforcement program review to identify additional measures that may be needed to address recommendations; and
• ensuring existing and new projects are consistent with recommendations by communicating requirements and expectations to companies.

Details on implementation progress can be found at a new web page at Yukon.ca that will be updated regularly.

We are implementing all of the recommendations of the Independent Review Board to improve our oversight, monitoring and enforcement of industry. We are strengthening our regulatory and enforcement systems and working closely with industry so they understand their roles and obligations. This work will help restore public trust in the mining sector to ensure resource extraction is done responsibly and sustainably so there are lasting benefits for Yukoners and communities.

Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources Ted Laking

Backgrounder

• On June 24, 2024, a failure occurred at the heap leach facility of the Eagle Gold Mine operated by Victoria Gold Corporation.
• Following the failure, an Independent Review Board made up of leading mining experts spent months working to determine the cause of the failure and what could have been done differently to prevent it from happening. It produced a report that includes 56 recommendations for improved practices by industry and the regulators.
• The recommendations, when fully implemented, will reduce the likelihood of something like this happening again. They will also improve practices more broadly and lead to a stronger, more resilient Yukon mining industry.

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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