This week, Premier Ranj Pillai, Deputy Premier and Minister Responsible for Women and Gender Equity Directorate Jeanie McLean and Energy, Mines and Resources Minister John Streicker joined a delegation of representatives from the Government of Yukon, Yukon First Nations, the Yukon Geological Survey, the Yukon Mining Alliance, the Yukon First Nation Chamber of Commerce, the Yukon Chamber of Mines and Yukon businesses to promote Yukon jobs and industry at the Association for Mineral Exploration’s Roundup (AME Roundup) conference and the Vancouver Resource Investment Conference in Vancouver, British Columbia.
Cabinet Ministers and Government of Yukon officials highlighted the importance of industry and government working with Yukon First Nations communities and shared upcoming plans for investment in the territory’s economic development through an emphasis on infrastructure upgrades and modernizing legislation. The Government of Yukon attended the conferences to provide information about mineral development opportunities in the territory.
Investments in strategic infrastructure play a pivotal role in supporting Yukon residents, businesses and the territory’s mining industry. Ministers emphasized Government of Yukon priorities including improving access to Yukon communities through the Yukon Resource Gateway program, ongoing work with the Government of Canada to connect the Yukon and British Columbia’s electricity grids, as well as recent successes including the now-completed Dempster Fibre Line project.
At AME Roundup, Minister John Streicker led a panel discussion on how industry and governments at all levels must work together to support community safety so that Yukon communities can truly benefit from the economic opportunities that industry presents. Geologists from the Yukon Geological Survey presented the results of their fieldwork to the mineral and investment community.
Minister McLean joined Doris Bill, former Chief of the Kwanlin Dün First Nation, and Gina Nagano, President and Community Safety Specialist at House of Wolf, to lead a vital panel discussion at The Gathering Place on the importance of community safety as a foundation for equitable participation in the mining and resources industry. The session highlighted the critical role of safety and other foundational conditions in fostering inclusive opportunities, with a focus on Yukon-led initiatives such as the Yukon’s Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit+ Strategy. Minister McLean emphasized the importance of creating safe and supportive communities to ensure all Yukoners, particularly Indigenous women and Two-Spirit+ individuals, can benefit from the territory’s economic development.
I was fortunate to be joining the innovative members of the Yukon’s mineral industry at this year’s Roundup and Vancouver Resource Investment conferences. In the Yukon, we acknowledge the pivotal role that mining plays in our economy and communities, understanding how responsible mineral development can foster our growth while contributing to the global shift to a cleaner future. Our government remains dedicated in its commitment to close collaboration with both industry and First Nations governments, aiming to strengthen the Yukon’s position as a global leader in mineral exploration.
Community safety and wellbeing is fundamental to ensuring that all people can benefit from the economic opportunities that mining presents. Roundup is an opportunity to connect with industry representatives and have in-person discussions on how we can all contribute to building respectful and mutually beneficial relationships between the mining industry and Indigenous communities.
We were at Roundup to have face-to-face meetings with industry representatives and First Nations governments to chart the future for mining in the Yukon. With a growing demand for critical minerals, mining provides an opportunity for the territory to play a meaningful role in the clean-energy transition. Our government supports a strong, sustainable and responsible mining industry.
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Roundup is the world’s premier technical mineral exploration conference, bringing together exploration companies, geologists, governments and interested investors.
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Thousands of people attend Roundup from all aspects of the global mineral exploration and mining sector.
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The Vancouver Resource Investment Conference brings together leading experts, investors and companies in the resource investment sector. As one of the largest mining investment conferences in the world, it provides a valuable platform for discussion and is an opportunity to highlight the Yukon as an attractive and responsible investment jurisdiction.
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During the conferences, the Yukon Mining Alliance, Yukon First Nation Chamber of Commerce and the Yukon Chamber of Mines host events to promote mineral investment and responsible mining exploration in the Yukon.
Kelsey Bush
Cabinet Communications
kelsey.bush@yukon.ca
John Thompson
Communications, Energy, Mines and Resources
867-332-6042
john.thompson@yukon.ca
Linnea Blum
Communications, Economic Development
867-332-2625
linnea.blum@yukon.ca
Odile Nelson
Communications, Women and Gender Equity Directorate
867-334-8235
odile.nelson@yukon.ca