Government of Yukon
Archives
FOR RELEASE #08-017
January 31, 2008
Yukon Mining Industry Will See More Activity and More Investment in 2008
WHITEHORSE – Energy, Mines and Resources Minister Archie Lang expects to see more exploration and new mine development in Yukon this year.
Lang was part of a Yukon delegation that attended the 25th annual Mineral Exploration Roundup in Vancouver this week. Over 6,000 delegates, including geologists, prospectors, junior and senior mining and mineral exploration companies took part.
"The Yukon is generating a lot of interest from industry, and they are not looking at just one or two high potential areas, they are looking at the entire Yukon," Lang said. Yukon’s 2,700 known mineral occurrences are on mining claims covering less than four per cent of the territory's total area.
"We are optimistic about industry’s continued interest in Yukon," Lang continued. "We had some very positive meetings with companies who are continuing to invest in Yukon and advance their exploration and mining projects."
Some of the companies department officials met with are Overland Resources, Northern Freegold Resources, Western Copper Corporation, Full Metal Minerals and Alexco. These five companies alone expect to spend $70 million in advanced exploration projects in 2008.
Lang and department staff also took advantage of this opportunity to meet with the Yukon Mineral Advisory Board, an organization made up of industry and First Nations representatives who advise the government on a wide range of mining related issues.
"The current level of activity we are seeing in Yukon's mining and mineral exploration industry reflects well on the work we have done since devolution to grow the Yukon economy and strengthen our mining industry," Lang added.
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| Contact: | |
| Roxanne Vallevand Cabinet Communications (867) 633-7949 roxanne.vallevand@gov.yk.ca |
Tara O’Donovan Communications, Energy, Mines & Resources (867) 667-3183 tara.odonovan@gov.yk.ca |