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
Recommended Steps for Mining Land Use Projects 86 KB
Approvals Required for a Camp or Lodge Sewage Disposal System 27 KB
Interpretive Bulletin 2013-1 Re-vegetation on Mineral claims 135 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 wil be Best Management Practices for Works Affecting Water in Yukon 4.03 MB.
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 Services 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
dawson.class1@gov.yk.ca
Mayo
Phone: 867.996.2256 - Fax: 867.996.2617
mayo.mining@gov.yk.ca
mayo.class1@gov.yk.ca
Watson Lake
Phone: 867.536.7366 - Fax: 867.536.7842
watson.mining@gov.yk.ca
watson.class1@gov.yk.ca
Whitehorse
Phone: 867.667.3107 - Fax: 867.667.5150
whitehorse.mining@gov.yk.ca
whitehorse.class1@gov.yk.ca
Toll-free number for all districts: 1.800.661.0408.
Placer Mining Land Use
Quartz Mining Land Use
