Yukon government and Copper Niisüü Limited Partnership sign solar array agreement with support from the Government of Canada

Press Release

June 3, 2026

This is a joint news release between the Government of Yukon, Copper Niisüü Limited Partnership and the Government of Canada.

The Government of Yukon and Copper Niisüü Limited Partnership, a development corporation owned by the White River First Nation, have signed an agreement to install two solar arrays with battery electric storage at the Coffee Gold Project site 130 kilometres south of Dawson. This project will reduce diesel use at the Coffee Gold Project while supporting more reliable and lower-emissions energy generation at the site.

Funding is provided by the Government of Yukon’s Good Energy Program, which is supported by Canada’s Low Carbon Economy Leadership Fund. A combination of a 475 kilowatt (kW) solar array at the Coffee Gold Project’s Coffee Camp and a 600 kW array at the Java Camp will offset an estimated 580,000 litres of diesel per year.

Copper Niisüü Limited Partnership expects to begin operating the system in 2027 and will rent them to Coffee Gold owner Fuerte Metals. The systems will help lower fuel consumption, improve energy reliability at the site and create long-term economic opportunities for White River First Nation. The solar and battery systems are being produced by Solvest Inc., a Yukon renewable energy solutions company, further supporting local jobs and investment.

The Yukon’s mining sector is important to our economy and our communities. Projects like this help reduce diesel use at remote mine sites while creating business opportunities for Yukon First Nations and local companies. It’s a practical investment that supports jobs, energy innovation, and a more reliable northern energy system.

Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources Ted Laking

Canada has the resources the world needs. We also have the innovation and drive to extract those resources in the most sustainable way possible. This investment will help build a more sustainable Yukon that is less dependent on fossil fuels while supporting Indigenous climate leadership, creating good jobs and protecting the environment.

Minister of the Environment, Climate Change and Nature Julie Dabrusin

Copper Niisüü is excited to work with our territorial government partners and Fuerte Metals on demonstrating how instituting responsible mining practices can assist all parties in the advancement of new and important projects like the Coffee Creek development. The focus on renewable energy for the advancement of this project highlights how industry, government and First Nations can work together on trying to continue to move the needle on reducing our carbon footprint while enabling businesses to grow and provide benefit to all parties in a safe and appropriate manner.

President of Copper Niisüü Limited Partnership John Vandermeer

Media contact

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

Kate Erwin
Communications, Energy, Mines and Resources
867-667-3183
kate.erwin@yukon.ca

Logan Freese
Copper Niisüü Limited Partnership
867-633-5525

Media Relations
Environment and Climate Change Canada
819-938-3338 or 1-844-836-7799 (toll-free)
media@ec.gc.ca

ILR4