Energy, Mines and Resources

Minerals

Mining in Yukon

Mining Land Use

The Quartz Mining Land Use Regulation 519 KB and the Placer Mining Land Use Regulation 477 KB consist of a classification system based on varying levels of specific activities. These threshold levels categorize exploration activities into four classes of operation. Classes 1 through 4 represent activities with increasing potential to cause adverse environmental impacts.

Class 1 programs:

activities are defined as “grassroots” exploration
activities have low potential to cause adverse environmental effects
work and reclamation is completed within a year
a notification which outlines the activities and how they will be reclaimed must be submitted through the Mining Lands Office, for projects located within designated areas
notification not required for projects located outside of designated areas
operator must comply with the Operating Conditions (Schedule 1)
assessment under the Yukon Environmental and Socio Economic Assessment Act (YESAA) is not required

Class 2 programs:

represent the upper level of “grassroots” exploration activities
a notification which outlines the activities and how they will be reclaimed must be submitted through the Mining Lands Office
activities have moderate potential to cause adverse environmental effects
assessment through YESAA is required
work and reclamation must be completed within one year

Class 3 and Class 4 programs:

require submission of a detailed Operating Plan to the Mining Lands Office
assessment through YESAA is required
Operating Plan must be approved before any exploration activities can proceed
Operating Plans may entail multi-year exploration programs to allow greater flexibility for the operator
Class 4 placer programs are permitted by the Yukon Water Board through a delegation of authority and will include a Water License

Approvals Required for a Camp or Lodge Sewage Disposal System 27 KB

How to obtain a Class 2 Quartz or Placer Notification Approval 382 KB

How to obtain a Class 3 Placer Exploration Program Approval 354 KB

How to obtain a Class 4 Placer Exploration Program Approval and Water Licence 353 KB

How to obtain a Class 3 or Class 4 Quartz Exploration Program Approval 379 KB

Copies of Water Licenses are available at the Yukon Water Board.

More detailed information on the Yukon Environmental and Socio-Economic Assessment Board (YESAB) process can be found on their website.

Guidelines and practices relating to Yukon water use can be obtained from the Resources section of Yukonwater.ca. A specific document of interest will be Preferred practices for works affecting Yukon waters.

Environment Act
A permit under the Environment Act is often required for small resource-based operations. Common activities requiring a permit include:
• burial, burning or incineration of solid waste; and/or
• generation, storage or transportation of special wastes (e.g., waste oil).
Information on the Environment Act can be obtained from the Department of Environment.

Proponent's Guide: Assessing and Mitigating the Risk of Human-Bear Encounters 2.41 MB. This guide will help you assess the level of risk for human-bear encounters at your proposed camp/work sites and adopt mitigation measures for minimizing potential encounters.

How to obtain a Land Use Permit 374 KB - For more on Land Use in Yukon, visit the Land Management website.

Work Camp assessment form 388 KB -For further information explaining the steps you need to take when planning a camp facility in the Yukon visit the Environmental Health services site.

Contact Us:

Mining Land Use Officers

Dawson
Phone: 867.993.5343 - Fax: 867.993.6747
dawson.mining@gov.yk.ca

Mayo
Phone: 867.996.2256 - Fax: 867.996.2617
mayo.mining@gov.yk.ca

Watson Lake
Phone: 867.536.7366 - Fax: 867.536.7842
watson.mining@gov.yk.ca

Whitehorse
Phone: 867.667.3107 - Fax: 867.667.5150
whitehorse.mining@gov.yk.ca

Toll-free number for all districts: 1.800.661.0408.