Mining in the Yukon: 15 Facts, History & More!

Mining in the Yukon: 15 Facts, History & More!

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Mining in the Yukon - 15 Facts and Statistics

Eagle Gold Mine - Victoria Gold Corp.

Did you know that mined goods represented 96.7 per cent of the Yukon’s total exports in 2021? This figure alone makes it easy to see just how massive a role the mining sector plays in the economic success of the Canadian territory.

The Yukon has a longstanding mining history. Gold was first found in the Yukon in 1896, and the industry has developed for more than a century to be the leader in sustainable production it is today. 

With clear production growth of mined goods and 4,000 new mining claims in 2021 alone, the Yukon is positioning itself to bring even more critical minerals and metals to global markets. In fact, the value of its mineral commodity exports increased by 126 per cent in 2021 on a year-over-year basis.

To learn more about just how important these operations are to the northern Canadian territory, we’ve compiled a list of more than 15 fun facts on mining in Yukon to perk your interest! Also see:

mining in the yukon number of jobs supported by yukon mining 1605 - Copy

Yukon Mining Facts  

#1 - The Yukon currently has three operating commercial mines which are integral to the territory’s economy [1]

#2 - Gold, copper, lead, zinc, and silver are just some of the minerals and metals actively mined in the Yukon [1]

#3 - Mined goods represented 96.7 per cent of the Yukon’s exports in 2021 [7]

#4 - The value of mineral commodity exports from the Yukon increased by 126 per cent in 2021 [7]

#5 - In 2021, nearly 4,000 new mining claims were staked in the Yukon [3]

#6 - As of 2017, 1,605 people worked in mining and supporting activities within the Yukon [8]

#7 - In 2021, the value of mineral exports from the Yukon was reported as $161.5 million [7]

mining in the yukon percentage of yukon exports accounted for by mining in 2021 was 97 percent - Copy

#8 - As of 2021, Indigenous communities and governments had signed at least 25 active agreements with exploration and mining companies within the Yukon [9]

#9 - The Minto Belt is home to the operating Minto Mine and Granite Creek's Carmacks Project [2]

#10 - Located about 240 kilometres northwest of Whitehorse, the Minto Mine employs roughly 200 workers and has ramped up output in 2021 by 46% year-over-year [3]

#11 - The Eagle Mine is the largest gold mine in the history of the Yukon, employing roughly 350-400 people [4]

#12 - Victoria Gold's Eagle mine saw a 27% increase in production from 2020 to 2021 [3]

#13 - The Keno Hill silver district operation is a silver-lead-zinc mine and has been operational since 2011 [5]

#14 - Keno Hill district saw the volume of its extracted ore increase by 72% from 2020 to 2021 [3]

#15 - It is estimated that the Yukon’s mineral production will grow by 7.6% overall by the end of 2022 [6]

mining in the yukon value of minerals and metals exported in 2021 was 161 million - Copy

History of Mining in the Yukon

As mentioned above, mining in the Yukon goes back many decades, attracting explorers from far and wide with the promise of gold [10].

On August 16, 1896, gold was found in Rabbit Creek, a tributary of the Klondike River. Hearing of the news, roughly 1,000 Yukon residents traveled to the area to seek out the valuable mineral and metal.

In 1897, the news of gold within the Klondike river had traveled even further. Approximately 100,000 people from far and wide travelled to the Yukon to find gold. With a surge in residents, Dawson City began to quickly grow. Miners and prospectors brought massive economic benefits to the local municipalities and residents, especially those who owned businesses such as banks, shops and saloons.

From 1896-1899, $29 million in gold was extracted from the Yukon territory, making many people millionaires overnight. As a result of this massive economic success, Dawson City became the largest city west of Winnipeg and north of Seattle.

Although the Klondike rush has passed long ago, many people still find success within the mining industry in the Yukon today.

Mining is Critical for Yukon Communities

Tombstone Lake Yukon Canada

Grizzly Lake, Yukon

Mining in the Yukon is just as important to the territory today as it was more than 100 years ago. Accounting for nearly all of its exports and generating hundreds of millions of dollars in economic activity for its communities and governments, without mining the Yukon would be a very different place.

The Yukon is a very big place and its true mineral and metal potential is currently unknown. Yukon Mining companies, First Nations and the territorial government all work together to ensure the commitment to collaboration, transparency and innovation remains strong.

Thanks to the hardworking men and women in the Yukon’s mining sector, we have the necessary minerals and metals to make the products we use in our everyday lives. The world needs more Yukon mining!

Join Us Today!

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Join us in supporting the hundreds of thousands of mining workers across Canada who rely on the sector to provide for their families. Learn more about Canada's natural resource production by joining us online at Twitter, Instagram and Facebook today – we hope to see you there!

SOURCES: 

1 - Yukon Mining Alliance - 5 Reasons to Invest. Date accessed: November 2022 (https://investyukon.ca)

2 - ​​Granite Creek Copper - Carmacks Project. Date accessed: November 2022 (://gcxcopper.com/projects/stu-copper-project/)

3 - Julien Gignac - 2021 was a good year for mining in the Yukon, experts say. Date accessed: November 2022 (https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/yukon-mining-round-up-1.6340130#:~:text=Victoria%20Gold's%20Eagle%20mine%2C%20near,climbed%20by%2046%20per%20cent.)

4 - Victoria Gold - The Eagle Gold Mine. Date accessed: November 2022 (https://vgcx.com/production/eagle-gold-mine/the-eagle-gold-mine/#:~:text=The%20Eagle%20Gold%20Mine%20is,adsorption%2Ddesorption%20gold%20recovery%20plant.)

5 -  Government of Yukon - Keno Hill silver district mining: licensing documents. Date accessed: November 2022 (https://yukon.ca/en/science-and-natural-resources/mining/keno-hill-silver-district-mining-licensing-documents)

6 - The Conference Board of Canada - Surging demand for minerals key to long-term growth. Date accessed: November 2022 (https://www.conferenceboard.ca/focus-areas/canadian-economics/territorial-outlook)

7 - NRCAN - Mineral Trade. Date accessed: November 2022 (https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/maps-tools-and-publications/publications/minerals-mining-publications/mineral-trade/19310#province)

8 - Government of Canada - Minerals Sector Employment. Date accessed: November 2022 (https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/science-data/science-research/earth-sciences/earth-sciences-resources/earth-sciences-federal-programs/minerals-sector-employment/16739)

9 - NRCAN - Minerals and the economy. Date accessed: November 2022 (https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/our-natural-resources/minerals-mining/minerals-metals-facts/minerals-and-the-economy/20529)

10 - Klondike Visitors Association - Klondike Gold Rush. Date accessed: November 2022 (https://dawsoncity.ca/discover-dawson/klondike-gold-rush/)