Yukon gov’t reviewing quartz licences, guidelines for mine waste management
Officials say they’re following recommendations from independent review of Eagle mine failure
The Yukon government says it has started implementing recommendations issued by an independent review board earlier this year, for heap leach mining oversight.
The government says that “over half” of the board’s 56 recommendations can be resolved through revisions to the territory’s guidelines for mine waste management facilities. Those guidelines are now under review, according to John Streicker, minister of energy, mines and resources.
“We believe that the recommendations of the board are strong and we have begun work to implement all of them,” Streicker said.
The recommendations were issued in July by an expert review board tasked by the territorial government with investigating the heap leach failure at the Eagle mine in June 2024. The board concluded that heap leach mining — which involves using cyanide to extract gold — can be done safely, but it said companies and governments should step up oversight.
The government is also going to review all quartz mine licences, including existing licences, to ensure they align with the recommendations. Expert consultants are also being recruited “to help improve our regulatory and enforcement oversight,” Streicker said.
“Taking these steps quickly is an important part of rebuilding trust in the Yukon’s mining industry,” Streicker said.
Experts say Eagle mine clean up going well
Government biologists also shared an update on Thursday on remediation at the Eagle mine site on Wednesday.
Contamination levels are steadily going down in Haggart Creek downstream from the mine, according to water resources scientist Tyler Williams. He said levels of cyanide and nitrite, the two contaminants that pose most risk to fish health, are starting to trend below target levels.
“Contaminant concentrations in the creek generally improved. This is in part due to the collection and storage of contaminated groundwater that is effectively averting contaminants from reaching the creek,” he said.
Officials told reporters at a news conference on Thursday that they haven’t seen any more dead fish this year, and they don’t expect contamination to affect main waterways like the Stewart or Yukon Rivers.
Streicker said he’s expecting remediation to continue without interruption after the territorial election later this year.
“We hope the coming election has no impact on the work,” Streicker said. “The teams are in place, their work is to continue.”
The mine’s receiver, PricewaterhouseCoopers, still intends to sell the mine before the end of the year.
Related stories from around the North:
Canada: Yukon’s mining law framework promises major change, but not everyone’s happy, CBC News
Greenland: Greenland ‘Freedom City?’ Rich donors push Trump for a tech hub up north, Reuters
Russia: Russia sees stable oil exports and booming gas business by 2050, Reuters
Sweden: Swedish developer GRANGEX buys iron ore mine on Norway’s border to Russia, The Independent Barents Observer
United States: Environmentalists criticize Trump administration push for new oil and gas drilling in Alaska, Alaska Public Media
