Government of Yukon

05/19/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 05/19/2026 15:01

New pilot program aims to help conduct placer mine heritage assessments

The Government of Yukon and the Klondike Placer Miners' Association are launching a pilot program to hire an archeologist in Dawson to conduct heritage resource assessments on behalf of eligible placer operators.

The Yukon government will invest up to $200,000 this year to cover the administration costs of this pilot program. Costs related to conducting heritage assessments will remain the responsibility of operators.

The aim of the pilot program is to help address logistical challenges faced by placer miners while ensuring heritage resources are protected. Heritage resources include fossils, archeological artifacts and historic structures such as cabins, caches and graves.

The Government of Yukon reviews placer mine proposals for heritage potential as a part of the processes to receive a Class 1 notification or to submit a project to the Yukon Environmental and Socioeconomic Assessment Board. Where heritage potential is identified, operators must complete a heritage resource impact assessment prior to undertaking development in the area.

Our government is committed to protecting heritage resources while also supporting the placer mining industry, which provides high-paying jobs and critical benefits to the Klondike's economy. I welcome the chance to partner with the Klondike Placer Miners' Association to help advance both goals with this pilot program.

Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources Ted Laking

We are happy to see steps are being taken to resolve challenges the placer industry faces in navigating the Yukon's heritage policy and look forward to the increased local collaboration this position will support.

Klondike Placer Miners' Association President Neil Loveless

Media contact

Tim Kucharuk
Press secretary, Cabinet Communications
867-335-2419
[email protected]

John Thompson
Communications, Energy, Mines and Resources
867-332-6042
[email protected]

News release #:
26-148
Government of Yukon published this content on May 19, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on May 19, 2026 at 21:01 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]