The Yukon government has entered into an agreement with First Nations on a new process to finish within the current mandate new minerals legislation that replaces the Quartz Mining Act and Placer Act.
This legislative work will tackle all stages of the mining activity life cycle, including prospecting, mine operation, and site closure and remediation. An oversight group will be established with the minister of energy, mines, and resources and the Chiefs Committee on Mining in work with First Nations with final agreements, in addition to a collaborative development group with senior Yukon and First Nations government officials. Specific working groups will be convened to handle certain issues, and they along with the collaborative development group will source input from industry representatives when necessary.
A government-to-government approach will be adopted for work with First Nations without final agreement and transboundary Indigenous governments and groups, with the possibility of collective tables where appropriate. According to the Yukon government, the process facilitates the participation of all relevant parties in the legislation’s development and ensures the inclusion of all perspectives.
“Since the signing of the Devolution Transfer Agreement 25 years ago, Yukon First Nations have consistently called for updated resource legislation that upholds modern approaches to land stewardship and accurately reflects the realities of the industry as it exists today, rather than relying on outdated approaches from the past,” said Hähkè Darren Taylor, Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in Government, in a statement. “We are hopeful that this agreement will support respectful, government-to-government dialogue grounded in our shared responsibilities.”
Energy, mines, and resources minister Ted Laking added that updated minerals legislation would facilitate effective mineral activity management in the territory.
“It can lead to better environmental outcomes and improved clarity and certainty for governments and industry, and ensure that the benefits of mineral activity remain in the Yukon,” Laking said.
The Quartz Mining Act was enacted in 1924. It governs the process of securing a claim to mine quartz in Yukon, sets limitations on land use, and details the process of applying for a licence to operate and close a quartz mine. It comprises the disposition of government mineral rights; land use and reclamation, and applications; and transitional provisions.