3 minute read
Celebrating 50 years of Yukon’s modern mining industry
By Loralee Johnstone, President, Yukon Chamber Mines
As we emerge out of the shadows of a global COVID-19 pandemic, it is only apt that this year we celebrate the theme Resources, Resilience and Relationships at the 50th Golden Anniversary of the Yukon Geoscience Forum and Trade Show.
Hosted by the Yukon Chamber of Mines, the forum is a means to bring together members of the mining community to facilitate responsible development, a key element of modern mining.
50 years is an exceptional achievement and testimony to all Yukoners who have come before us and contributed to the mining industry’s history, culture, and economy.
This trend continues as our territories’ exploration and productivity bounced back in 2021 despite the unprecedented challenge the pandemic bestowed on us. And while we enter into an era of mindful change, we continue to reflect on these chapters from our rich history, while working towards a sustainable future.
Today, Yukon ranks ninth among the most attractive mining jurisdictions in the world. This comes as no surprise to the Yukon Chamber of Mines. With
our abundant resources, a highly skilled workforce, and a commitment to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Yukon exemplifies today’s modern mining industry.
In Yukon, modern mining has been in the making for decades and embodies the finest policies and practices achieved through cutting-edge technology. This contributes to advancement toward a net-zero future and building meaningful relationships with community members and stakeholders. This we believe has also contributed toward building a vibrant economy, while at the same time protecting our natural environment.
Yukon’s mineral sector is the largest private sector contributor and employer in the territory and donates millions annually through sponsorships and scholarships, as well as to important community and charity initiatives in health and education.
Climate change is a looming threat to all of us and our mining industry is becoming an integral part of achieving net-zero emissions. Our abundant
resources are necessary for making batteries for electric vehicles and solar panels, among others.
We believe that mining is necessary to fight climate change and achieve net-zero emissions. However, it will require us to work together – government, industry, First Nations, and stakeholders.
This is where the Yukon Chamber of Mines and all Yukon Geoscience partners play a key role in supporting projects to progress from discovery through exploration to production.
The forum, which will be held from November 19th to 22nd, is the largest of its kind north of 60 and sees thousands of people attend every year. Industry leaders, representatives from the Government of Yukon, First Nation
governments, and businesses meet over the course of the four-day event to share the past seasons’ successes and challenges, highlighting opportunities and discoveries. The forum is also a platform to engage youth and students in educational programming that supports the overall advancement of the mineral sector through increased awareness.
This year the Yukon Geoscience Forum will have expert speakers dive into industry overviews such as bedrock mapping initiatives in the region, exploration programs, as well as advances in broad-scale mineral deposit modelling.
Some of the sessions will look at new and developing mineral discoveries, the role of data in exploration, and steps taken to reduce carbon emissions with geothermal projects/plans going forward. Speakers will also highlight details on materially significant critical mineral (CM) deposits in Yukon, NRCan’s CM strategy and related investments, along with current CM prices versus market projections. Sessions will also cover legislation and regulation updates, as well as current trends and best practices in the minerals industry.
The forum also hosts Yukon’s largest business sector and association trade show where companies connect with current and potential business contacts and partners while promoting their services and products.
Yukon Geoscience Forum represents the greatest opportunity for mineral sector networking and relationship building through meetings and professional development opportunities.
The 50th annual Yukon Geoscience Forum and Trade Show will be held from November 19th to 22nd. To register, please visit www.yukongeoscience.ca/. 7
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