Energy, Mines, and Resources
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Abandoned Mines
Timeline
Mount Nansen Pages...
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1943 - 1984
Intermittent exploration took place throughout area. Two attempts to mine local deposits not viable due to poor gold recoveries.
1985 - 1988
Chevron Minerals and BYG Natural Resources Inc. (BYG) carry out exploration and environmental baseline studies of the Mount Nansen property.
1994
Exploration resumed under BYG management, leading to feasibility study reporting 650,000 tonnes of ore, four-year mine life at 50,000 ounces per year and a capital investment of $7,500,000.
1996
Type A Water Licence issued and mining and milling initiated in October.
1997 - 1999
This was the operations period. Total ore production was 269,000 tonnes. Recovery problems limited total gold production to 35,700 ounces. Total capital investment was approximately $14,000,000. Project generated operating profits in only two quarters. Serious environmental concerns included problems with tailings dam construction and operation, and discharges from water treatment plant repeatedly failing toxicity test. There were four requests for Water License amendments to suspend non-toxicity requirements.
February 1999
Water inspector issues directive for BYG to comply with the water license or cease operations. Mining and milling suspended. BYG declares voluntary receivership. D. 
Manning and Associates Inc. appointed receiver for physical assets.
July 1999
D. Manning and Associates resign and leave property overnight. Government of Canada (Canada) hires agent to maintain environmental integrity.
August 1999
Canada formally declares the property abandoned and takes over under Section 39 of Yukon Waters Act.
1999 - 2002
Canada manages care and maintenance of the site.
April 2003
Management of site devolves to the Government of Yukon (Yukon).
April 2004
Supreme Court of Yukon appoints PricewaterhouseCoopers as interim receiver for the assets of BYG Natural Resources Inc.’s Mt. Nansen mine.
2005 - 2006
Yukon continues care and maintenance for site and PricewaterhouseCoopers continues to manage the mine’s assets. Contribution agreement is signed between Yukon and Little Salmon Carmacks First Nation to fund coordinator, to hire technical support and to provide student support.
2007-2008
PricewaterhouseCoopers, sells mineral claims outside the mine site area. Public information sessions and stakeholder workshops take place to establish site closure objectives and provide feedback on alternatives.
Contact Us:
Assessment and Abandoned Mines
Mail: Box 2703, Whitehorse, Yukon Y1A 2C6
Phone: 867.393.7098
Fax: 867.456.6780
Email: yukonabandonedmines@gov.yk.ca
