Apply to explore for coal

A coal permit gives you the rights to mine for coal in a location. A permit is valid until the following March 31 after it was issued. You can apply to renew your permit anytime before it expires.

The maximum area you can stake for a coal permit is 0.4 hectares (1 acre). You can only hold 1 coal permit at a time.

Eligibility

Anyone 18 years or older can stake a location for themselves, a corporation or another person. There is no requirement for Canadian citizenship or Yukon residency.

Corporations wanting to hold coal locations, or do other business related to coal, must be registered with the Government of Yukon Corporate Affairs.

You can stake locations for another person or for a company if you note this on your application.

Choosing a location

Before staking a location, make sure the ground is available for staking. You cannot stake a claim within another valid coal location.

• Check the online mining map viewer to find out what land is available.
• Contact the Mining Recorder's Office to confirm the area is still available.

Staking is not permitted:

• on land used for other types of mining;
• within a municipal boundary;
• within a development area;
• on First Nation Category A Settlement Land;
• cemeteries or burial grounds; and
• any land removed from staking by Order in Council (often referred to as an OIC or prohibition order). For example:
  • lands withdrawn from staking for the settlement of land claims;
  • special land management areas;
  • parks;
  • airports; or
  • historic sites.

Staking your location

Before you can apply to explore or mine for coal, you must stake a location. The maximum area you can stake for a coal permit is 0.4 hectares (1 acre).

In Yukon, you stake a location by putting a series of posts in the ground. This means you must travel to the area. You cannot stake a claim on a map or online.

If the surface rights of your chosen location is owned or occupied by another person, you will first need to:

• submit a letter showing consent of the owner or occupant to the Mining Recorder's Office; or
• provide the Mining Recorder's Office a security in an amount we think will cover any loss or damage to the land from staking.

Before you go out to stake, carefully read the Coal Regulation to learn about:

• the posts you can use to stake;
• where to plant your stakes on the location;
• what inscription is required on the posts; and
• how to mark the boundaries between your posts.

Apply for a coal permit

After you stake a location, you're required to complete an application for a coal permit. This is known as recording your location.

Deadline

You must file your application within a specific period, called travel time. The travel time for coal locations is a minimum of 15 days. You get an additional day for every 16.1 kilometres (10 miles) your claim is from the district Mining Recorder’s Office. We measure the distance in a straight line, “as the crow flies.”

Before going out into the field, visit the district Mining Recorder’s Office to confirm the amount of travel time assigned to the area you plan to stake. This ensures you can avoid missing the deadline to record your location.

We will not record your location after the allowable travel time has passed.

Apply

Applications are usually done in person at the district Mining Recorder’s Office.

1. Complete the application form.
2. The person who staked the location must sign it in front of a notary. Our staff at mining recorder’s offices are notaries.
3. Include a signed and dated sketch of your location. Sketches must have the following information:
   • post locations;
   • a scale;
   • a north arrow;
   • the topographic map sheet number;
   • the location of any geographical features such as lakes, rivers, or streams;
   • location boundaries; and
   • any adjacent mining tenure.
4. Pay the application fee of $1.
5. Pay the expected royalties at a rate of $0.28 per metric tonne ($0.25 per ton).

Working your permit

Prior to starting work, projects in Yukon will be subject to an assessment under the Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Act. Other permits and licences may also be required.

Contact the district Mining Recorder office for guidance on what you need.

A coal exploration licence gives you the rights to coal in a location for 3 years. You can later apply for a coal lease or a coal permit for land within your licence location.

The maximum area you can licence is 1/4 of the area shown on a mineral claim staking sheet. The area in hectares (acres) will be different for different latitudes.

View mineral claim staking sheets

Eligibility

Anyone 18 years or older can apply for a coal licence for themselves, a corporation or another person. There is no requirement for Canadian citizenship or Yukon residency.

Corporations wanting to hold coal locations, or do other business related to coal, must be registered with the Government of Yukon Corporate Affairs.

You can stake locations for another person or for a company if you note this information on the application form.

Choose your location

Before you can apply to explore or mine for coal, you must choose a location. The maximum area you can licence is 1/4 of the area shown on a mineral claim staking sheet.

Apply for a coal exploration licence

After you choose a location, you're required to complete an application for a coal exploration licence.

Applications are usually done in person at the district Mining Recorder’s Office.

1. Complete the application form.
2. You must sign the form in front of a notary. Our staff at mining recorder’s offices are notaries.
3. Include a description of the land. Refer to the claim-staking sheet and the geographical position of your chosen quarter.
4. Pay the application fee of $10.
5. Pay a deposit for the 1st year of $0.02 per hectare ($0.05 per acre).

Exploring your licence

Prior to starting work, projects in Yukon may be subject to an assessment under the Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Act. Other permits and licences may also be required.

Contact the district Mining Recorder's office for guidance on what you need.

Security deposit for expenditures

Each year of your licence, your exploration expenditures must equal the annual deposit of:

• $0.02 per hectare ($0.05 per acre) for the 1st year;
• $0.04 per hectare ($0.10 per acre) for the 2nd year; and
• $0.08 per hectare ($0.20 per acre) for the 3rd year.

If you spend more than required in a year, we will reduce the next year's deposit by the excess.

If you spend less than is required, you can apply to have the remaining amount added to the next year. You must apply before your deposit is due.

Contact the district Mining Recorder's office for help on determining annual deposit costs.