Learn about mining regulations in the Yukon

The Government of Yukon is the territory’s main mining regulator. We manage: 

• mineral rights;  
• exploration;  
• mine development; 
• mining operations; and  
• clean-up and closure. 

The Yukon Water Board regulates how water can be used in mines. 

All mining activities except basic exploration must be assessed by the Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Board. This assessment process gives you an opportunity to provide feedback.

We consult with affected First Nations governments throughout mineral exploration and development. 

Types of mining in the Yukon

Quartz mining 

Quartz (or hardrock) mining involves extracting veins of minerals from solid rock. This type of mining can be either an open pit or an underground mine.

Placer mining 

Placer mining separates eroded minerals like gold from old and current stream beds. This method has been practised in the Yukon since the Klondike Gold Rush. Modern placer mining operations use equipment like excavators, generators and water pumps to sluice gold from gravel. 

Mineral exploration

Before building a mine, lots of work happens. It starts with prospecting or searching for valuable materials. This leads to staking a claim, which gives you exclusive rights to minerals in an area.

Once you stake a claim, mineral exploration is started to find the commercial value of the mineral resources. This usually involves collecting soil samples, digging trenches and drilling core samples. The goal is to determine whether it’s commercially viable to build a mine. 

Before mine construction begins, an environmental assessment must be conducted, followed by regulatory approvals.  

Mining regulations in the Yukon’s municipalities

The Yukon’s mining laws and the Municipal Act both apply within municipal boundaries. One does not take precedence over the other. 

Municipalities make land use decisions within their boundaries. The following tools allow municipalities to guide what kind of development is allowed, including mineral exploration and development. 

• Official community plans.
• Zoning bylaws.
• Development agreements.

Under the Quartz Mining Act, you can stake a claim within municipal boundaries. Under the Placer Mining Act, new placer claims are not allowed within municipal boundaries, though legacy claims may exist.

The Yukon’s mining laws prevent staking in certain areas. You cannot stake a claim in the yard of a dwelling, on cultivated agricultural land, or within cemeteries, burial grounds or church property.

Staking is currently banned within much of the City of Whitehorse and all of Dawson City. These bans do not impact existing claims. 

Enforcement

Natural resource officers regularly inspect major mines to ensure compliance with permit and licence terms and conditions. Visits to mineral exploration sites are usually conducted based on complaints. If a mine does not meet the terms and conditions of their permit or licence, we may issue warnings or pursue formal charges in court.

Mine inspection reports are published on the Yukon Water Board’s Waterline website. 

Updating mining laws

The Government of Yukon is developing new minerals legislation with First Nations partners to better reflect their relationship with the land and support a competitive and viable mining industry.

A public engagement was held until May 2023, and a What We Heard report will be released soon. 

Learn more about new minerals legislation.