The Government of Yukon is focused on investing in key sectors to build a sustainable and resilient economy. As such, the Government of Yukon is providing the mineral exploration industry with $1.4 million in funding through the Yukon Mineral Exploration Program in 2024–25. This year’s funding has been awarded to 42 projects focused on locating new discoveries and advancing exploration at known mineral occurrences.
The Yukon Mineral Exploration Program provides part of the risk capital to support early-stage exploration for hard rock and placer exploration projects. The program leverages private sector funding at an average ratio of more than 2:1. In 2023, the program supported 41 exploration projects and generated over $3.3 million in investments.
The Yukon Geological Survey, which administers the program, received 62 applications for 2024 funding: 39 from hard rock proponents and 23 from placer operators. Applications were ranked using merit criteria that include the previous experience of the applicant, the type of geologic target being considered and the potential for the project to result in additional investment and further exploration or development. The evaluation criteria encourage exploration for critical minerals.
This program has proven to support important projects benefiting the mineral exploration sector, for example, the White Gold District.
The Yukon Mineral Exploration Program is important to support mineral exploration and stimulate new discoveries. I’m excited that some of this year’s projects will explore for the critical minerals needed for the global transition to a low carbon economy. The Yukon has the potential to significantly contribute to this transition, supplying critical minerals to the global market. Our government looks forward to hearing the results from the coming field season.
Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources John Streicker
The Yukon Mineral Exploration Program assesses applications using merit-based evaluation criteria.
The technical reports from exploration activities help advance knowledge of the Yukon's geology for better resource management decisions.
Applicants must ensure that all permits, licences, notifications and other authorizations are in place before exploration work proceeds and that all work undertaken complies with existing laws and regulations.
YMEP No. |
Project Name |
Applicant |
Module |
24-001 |
Eagle Bench |
Christie, James S. |
Placer |
24-002 |
Sands of Time |
Cascadia Minerals Ltd |
Quartz - Target Evaluation |
24-003 |
Fyfe |
Burke, Ryan |
Quartz - Grassroots |
24-004 |
Hook |
Burke, Ryan |
Quartz - Grassroots |
24-007 |
Milner |
Cascadia Minerals Ltd |
Quartz - Target Evaluation |
24-008 |
Lance |
Trifecta Gold Ltd. |
Quartz - Target Evaluation |
24-009 |
Liam |
Trifecta Gold Ltd. |
Quartz - Target Evaluation |
24-011 |
Ultra |
Stillwater Critical Minerals Corp. |
Quartz - Target Evaluation |
24-013 |
Keno Alluvial |
Metallic Minerals Corp. |
Placer |
24-014 |
Big Ray |
Arsenault, Chris |
Quartz - Target Evaluation |
24-016 |
Shanghai |
Sans Peur Exploration Services Inc. |
Placer |
24-020 |
Browns Creek |
Greenhorn Gold Inc |
Placer |
24-021 |
Big Creek |
Tim Coles Enterprises Ltd. |
Placer |
24-022 |
Nansen |
Hood, William C. |
Placer |
24-023 |
Loonie |
White Gold Corp. |
Quartz - Target Evaluation |
24-024 |
RHYS, Mintw, KERR |
Callum Ryan |
Quartz - Target Evaluation |
24-028 |
Hayes |
White Gold Corp. |
Quartz - Grassroots |
24-029 |
Calder Creek 2024 |
Allan, Grant |
Placer |
24-030 |
Pike Warden |
Transition Metals Corp. |
Quartz - Target Evaluation |
24-031 |
Batt |
Strategic Metals Ltd. |
Quartz - Target Evaluation |
24-032 |
Rye |
Trifecta Gold Ltd. |
Quartz - Target Evaluation |
24-033 |
Mich |
FPX Nickel Corp |
Quartz - Target Evaluation |
24-035 |
ORTRA |
Kreft, Bernie |
Quartz - Grassroots |
24-036 |
Marg |
Azarga Metal Corp |
Quartz - Target Evaluation |
24-037 |
Battleship Gold |
Fekete, Mark |
Quartz - Grassroots |
24-038 |
11 Pup Exploration |
NBC Contracting |
Placer |
24-040 |
Dominion Creek Placer |
Stuart Placer Ltd |
Placer |
24-043 |
Edwards Creek |
Christian Ziger |
Quartz - Grassroots |
24-044 |
Florence Creek |
John Shurko |
Placer |
24-045 |
Nitra |
Banyan Gold Corp. |
Quartz - Target Evaluation |
24-046 |
Lightning/McNeil Placer |
H. Coyne and Sons Ltd. |
Placer |
24-047 |
Nitro Express |
Brody Myers |
Placer |
24-048 |
ORC |
Mann, William (Bill) |
Quartz - Grassroots |
24-051 |
Boulder Hill - Bonanza Creek |
Dulac, Marcel |
Placer |
24-053 |
LEOTTA |
Brown, Derek |
Placer |
24-054 |
Klunick |
Kreft, Bernie |
Quartz - Grassroots |
24-056 |
RJ |
Lireca Resources Inc. |
Quartz - Target Evaluation |
24-058 |
Stewart River Regional |
Ryan, Shawn |
Placer |
24-059 |
Sestak Drill Program |
Ryan, Shawn |
Placer |
24-060 |
Roty |
Archer,Cathro & Associates (1981) Ltd. |
Quartz - Grassroots |
24-061 |
Eddy |
Rackla Metals Inc. |
Quartz - Grassroots |
24-062 |
Carmacks |
EMX Royalty Corp |
Quartz - Grassroots |
Laura Seeley
Cabinet Communications
867-332-7627
[email protected]
John Thompson
Communications, Energy, Mines and Resources
867-332-6042
[email protected]