The Government of Yukon supports mineral exploration with $1.4 million in program funding

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

Quick facts 
  • 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.

Backgrounder 

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

Media contact 

Laura Seeley
Cabinet Communications
867-332-7627
[email protected]

John Thompson
Communications, Energy, Mines and Resources
867-332-6042
[email protected]

News release #: 
24-236