A mining land use approval or notification allows work on a claim or lease. You can change the operator of an existing mining land use approval through an assignment. The same rules apply to both approvals and notifications.
Assigning a mining land use approval does not automatically transfer claims or leases. The following steps must be completed separately:
Eligibility
You can assign an approval to another operator who meets the eligibility requirements for staking a claim. Assignments are processed through the mining recorders’ office for:
Class 1 to 4 quartz exploration programs; and
Class 1 to 3 placer operations.
The Yukon Water Board processes assignments for Class 4 placer operations.
The new operator takes full responsibility for the approval, including reclaiming any work or disturbances before the approval expires.
Prepare your submission
To submit an assignment form, you’ll need a:
- summary of disturbances report;
- map of the area; and
- company seal or statutory declaration, if applicable.
If assigning to an individual person, corporate documents are not required — only a witness signature is needed.
Summary of disturbances report
The current approval holder must provide a detailed report outlining:
activities performed under the approval;
existing disturbances on site needing reclamation; and
existing on-site infrastructure, including access developments.
The project’s approval will describe the scope of the project and its allowed activities. We will review the report and request more information if needed.
The report must also list existing unreclaimed development such as:
- roads (kilometres);
- trails (kilometres);
- the total volume of trenching (cubic metres);
- the total surface area of clearings, including area of camps and buildings (square metres or kilometres);
- infrastructure (buildings and staging areas); and
- any other surface disturbances.
Map of the area
The map in your assignment must show all areas of development on the property including:
- existing road and trail networks;
- unreclaimed areas of clearing;
- trenching;
- existing infrastructure; and
- any historic workings that have not changed under a mining approval.
You must state if a disturbance was made under the current approval or other permits. The map must meet the Mineral Resources Branch’s digital mapping standards.
Company seal or statutory declaration
If you’re assigning a mining land use approval on behalf of a company, or if the new operator is a company, your application must include:
- the company seal; or
- a statutory declaration swearing you’re authorized to assign the approval or that you are authorized to accept the assignment on behalf of the company.
If the new operator is not the claim owner, you’ll need a claim holder authorization.
Companies must register with Corporate Affairs if they want to:
hold a mining land use approval;
hold mineral tenure; or
do other business related to permits.
Submit a form
- Download and complete the form.
Class 1-4 quartz form.
Class 1-3 placer form.
- Attach the required documents:
report on summary of disturbances;
map of the area; and
company seal or statutory declaration, if applicable.
Submit your documents to a mining recorder’s office This can be done in person, by mail or by email.
- Pay the fee by cash, cheque, debit or credit.
Class 1 or 2 notifications have no fee.
Class 3 or 4 operations are $50.
What happens next?
The Mineral Resources Branch will review the assignment once all documents are received and complete. The previous operator and new operator will receive a response once the assignment has been approved by the Chief of Mining Land Use/Placer Land Use. This usually happens within 25 days.
The Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Board does not need to review an assignment.
Paying financial security
As part of the assignment process, each project will be reviewed to determine if security is required. If the previous operator paid a security, it will not be returned until the new operator has paid their security. In some cases where a security was not previously held, a new operator may be required to post a security.
We will provide the security agreement to the new operator.
If you have any questions, contact your district mining recorder’s office.