Yukon’s premier-designate says his government will ‘hit the ground running’ when it comes to mining

Currie Dixon signals faster permitting and new investment in roads, electrical grid

The Yukon’s premier-designate Currie Dixon says the current moment is a “tremendous opportunity” for the territory’s mining sector.

Dixon addressed the mining community during a talk this week at the Yukon Geoscience Forum in Whitehorse. He spoke with Yukon Chamber of Mines president Allan Nixon about energy capacity, permitting challenges, and infrastructure needs.

On power, Dixon pointed out the Yukon’s grid has often grown alongside the mining industry, pointing to Faro, Dawson, and Minto as examples. He didn’t share specifics, but said his government would be in favour of working with the mining industry to grow capacity.

“Any time we can expand the grid, I’m in favour of that. Anything that gets us closer to more electric generation and transmission infrastructure, is a positive thing,” said Dixon.

Power grid needs immediate attention 

He also acknowledged Prime Minister Mark Carney’s recent announcement about connecting the B.C.-Yukon power grid, but tempered expectations, saying the project was likely many years away.

He said the Yukon must instead address immediate pressures on its isolated grid.

“Over the last number of years, there has been a lack of investment in the generation capacity to meet a growing demand,” he said.

Dixon pointed to disruptions at Hecla’s Keno operation which he described as evidence the current grid is not meeting demand.

“I can’t remember how many times they got bumped off last year,” he said. “That’s unacceptable.”

Nixon raised concerns the mining industry has brought forward over delays getting permits from the Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Board (YESAB), the Yukon Water Board and the government. Nixon said the uncertainty makes it hard for operators to work and plan efficiently.

“It’s one thing to enter a process knowing it will take two to four years. It’s entirely different to expect four years and still be in the process a decade later,” he said.

Dixon said he has heard industry frustrations about regulatory timelines.

“There needs to be a hard look at some of these timelines, these processes and making sure that they’re keeping pace with what’s going on in the rest of the country.”

Infrastructure, accelerating decision making 

The incoming premier, who will be sworn in this weekend, said improvements will require collaboration between the Yukon government, federal government, and First Nations governments, but he also sees room for quicker wins.

“There needs to be sufficient staffing capacity and sufficient support in those areas to allow the respective bodies to meet their obligations.”

Nixon also brought forward the industry’s need for infrastructure improvements like highways, as well as the port of Skagway, Alaska.

Dixon noted the port of Skagway previously handled ore from the Minto mine, but said the community has since passed ordinances around the shipping of metals concentrates, and removed its ore loader.

“I think that there should be a conversation at the Canada-United States level, on whether or not it’s appropriate for a single community in Alaska to limit the ability of a territory like the Yukon from exporting our minerals to market,” said Dixon.

The previous Yukon Liberal government sent two payments to help pay for improvements to the port of Skagway totaling over $900,000.

Mining key to territories financial future:

Dixon also pointed to the Resource Gateway project — hundreds of millions of dollars of federal funding announced in 2017 to build highways — of which only a fraction was spent by the last territorial government.

We need to get that funding out the door,” he said. “Ultimately, we want to see that money spent.”

Nixon said he knows the Yukon government is looking at making changes to mining legislation, and that industry isn’t worried about it.

“We’d love to be paying more taxes and royalties,” he said, “if it means we can build more mines.”

Dixon said a strong private sector is essential for the territory’s financial future.

“We need to unleash the mining industry,” he said. “We need to get the government out of the way and let the private sector do what it does best.”

Throughout the talk, Dixon said he intends to move quickly once sworn in.

“I have to hit the ground running,” he said. “There’s a tremendous opportunity before us, and it’s up to us to decide whether and how we’re going to grab on to that.”

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