Government of Yukon announces initiatives to strengthen the Yukon’s mining sector

Press Release

January 27, 2026

The mining industry is critical to the territory’s economy and to many Yukoners’ livelihoods. In addition to providing good-paying direct jobs for Yukoners, there are many local service and supply businesses who keep the industry moving and growing.

In support of this major economic driver, the new Government of Yukon announced several initiatives during AME Roundup in Vancouver on January 26. Energy, Mines and Resources Minister Ted Laking outlined the initiatives aimed at strengthening the Yukon’s mining industry by improving timelines and processes for regulatory decisions.

• The government will develop new service standards. Through this review the government will be developing new regulatory timelines that respect obligations to consult with affected First Nations as well as industry’s need for increased regulatory certainty.
• To increase transparency for those seeking mining land use approvals and quartz mining licences, the government will provide an online calculator for security and bonding and a live dashboard for applicants in the permitting process to track their project’s status.
• The Government of Yukon has committed to implement the recommendations of the Independent Review Board (IRB) that examined the causes of the Eagle Gold Mine failure. The government is now working on implementing all the recommendations of the IRB and has begun working with industry to ensure they are incorporated into existing and ongoing operations.
• The Government of Yukon will support the Yukon Mineral Exploration Program to help stimulate new mineral discoveries. The program will receive $1.4 million for 2026, subject to budget approval.

These announcements to support the Yukon’s mining sector build upon the Critical Minerals Memorandum of Understanding that the Yukon signed along with its western Canadian counterparts earlier this week.

Our new government has made it a priority to improve certainty for the private sector and industry. That is why we are taking action to review our service standards and bring in regulatory timelines while meeting our obligations for consultation with affected First Nations. In addition to timelines, we will be increasing our transparency so that proponents know where their project is in the permitting process. These changes will provide more certainty to the mining industry, which is a major private sector driver of our economy.

Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources Ted Laking

Quick facts

• Roundup, hosted by Association for Mineral Exploration BC, brings together exploration companies, geologists, governments and interested investors.
• Thousands of people attend Roundup from across the global mineral exploration and mining sector.
• On January 25, 2026, the Government of Yukon signed a Memorandum of Understanding along with western provinces and territories to develop a shared critical minerals strategy.

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

ILR4