Joint news release with the Council of Yukon First Nations and the Government of Yukon
The Government of Yukon and Yukon First Nations with Final Agreements have approved a recommendation from the Mining Memorandum of Understanding table to require notification of Class 1 mineral exploration activities across Yukon as of April 1, 2020.
The proposed notification regime would ensure the Government of Yukon and Yukon First Nations are aware of Class 1 mining activities across the territory and allow them to address potential impacts on treaty rights through consultation.
Yukon First Nations and the Government of Yukon are working together to develop and apply upgrades to the online Class 1 Notification System in time for the 2020 field season. These upgrades are intended to help support industry by expediting the 25-day review period for operators whose activities have the very least impact on the environment.
It is important that we balance the need for Class 1 notification with the mineral industry’s need to efficiently proceed with their work. This is a longstanding issue and collaborating with First Nations to address it reflects our government’s commitment to improving Yukon’s mineral resource management system and provide greater certainty for industry. I am proud of the respectful and cooperative relationship we have with Yukon First Nations and the good work we are doing together to improve our territory’s mineral regime for the benefit of all Yukoners.
Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources Ranj Pillai
The work of the Mining Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Government of Yukon and Yukon First Nations is resulting in positive changes to regulatory processes. Every step counts in our efforts to ensure collaboration on mineral development in Yukon.
Council of Yukon First Nations Grand Chief Peter Johnston
Self-Governing Yukon First Nations are pleased to make this progress. We remain committed to managing mining activity in Yukon in a way that is consistent with our agreements and meets our government-to-government aspirations and obligations for environmental protection, economic prosperity, social and fiscal benefits and the preservation of First Nations culture. We see these as foundational steps towards creating and implementing a made-in-Yukon mining regime.
Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in Chief Roberta Joseph
Mineral exploration activities are identified as Classes 1 to 4 by specific thresholds in the Placer Mining Land Use Regulation and the Quartz Mining Land Use Regulation.
Class 1 activities are those which are considered to have low potential to cause adverse environmental impacts. Class 1 activities do not trigger a Yukon environmental and socio-economic assessment.
The recommendation on Class 1 will require regulation and legislative amendments before it can be implemented. Officials are researching options to implement notification of Class 1 mineral exploration activities across Yukon for the 2020 field season.
Class 1 notification and review is currently in place in about 50 per cent of Yukon: within Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in’s Traditional Territory; within the asserted traditional territories of all Yukon First Nations without Final Agreements; within the territories of the Taku River Tlingit; within the Peel Watershed area; and on Category A and B First Nation Settlement Lands.
The Yukon Forum has endorsed the Mining Memorandum of Understanding, an agreement between the Government of Yukon and Yukon First Nations to work collaboratively to improve mineral resource management.
Matthew Cameron
Cabinet Communications
867-393-7136
matthew.cameron@gov.yk.ca
Natalie Pendergast
Communications, Energy Mines and Resources
867-667-5809
natalie.pendergast@gov.yk.ca
Juliann Fraser
Communications, Council of Yukon First Nations
867-393-9200 ext.: 9223
Juliann.Fraser@cyfn.net