Yukon government significantly reduces backlog for placer mining projects

Press Release

May 13, 2026

The Government of Yukon has swiftly reduced the number of placer mining projects awaiting approvals since the start of 2026.

So far this year, the Yukon government has issued decision documents for 41 placer projects assessed by the Yukon Environmental and Socioeconomic Assessment Board (YESAB). By comparison, in all of 2025, the government issued 63 placer decision documents.

In the same timeframe, the government also issued over 100 notifications for smaller Class 1 placer projects, with an additional 43 under review. As of May 8, there were 16 projects in the backlog of placer decision documents. By comparison, on January 1, there were 30.

The placer mining approval backlog has been reduced by prioritizing additional government resources, improving workflows and adopting temporary regulatory measures.

The Department of Energy, Mines and Resources continues to improve its service standards for mineral resource projects by developing internal target timelines and sharing performance updates with proponents, affected First Nations and stakeholders. Future work will see the development of public timelines for Government of Yukon decisions. Work will be done while respecting the government’s obligations to consult with affected First Nations as well as industry’s need for increased regulatory certainty.

Improved service standards give project proponents, First Nations, the public and other stakeholders more transparency into the permitting processes, clearer timelines and more consistent client service.

The Yukon government remains committed to ensuring a fair and transparent process for those seeking exploration permits and quartz mine licences to secure mineral tenure in the Yukon. As a part of this work, the government is creating an online calculator for security and bonding and a live permit status dashboard for applicants in the permitting process. The dashboard will merge information from YESAB, Government of Yukon and the Yukon Water Board to one location.

Our government is committed to addressing the backlog of permit approvals and making regulatory processes more predictable and transparent. Since January, we have issued a decision document every three days. I thank the Mineral Tenure and Exploration Branch for their dedication to improving these processes and ensuring the Yukon remains a competitive mining jurisdiction.

Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources Ted Laking

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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