<div dir="auto" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> <span style="color:#000000;">Mines chamber leader optimistic for industry despite Victoria Gold disaster</span></div> <div dir="auto" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> <span style="color:#000000;">Yukon Chamber of Mines executive director Jonas Smith commented on the state of mining industry on the heels of a major mining conference</span></div> <div dir="auto" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> </div> <div dir="auto" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> <span style="color:#000000;">Dana Hatherly<br /> <br /> Yukon Chamber of Mines executive director Jonas Smith at the Yukon Geoscience Forum and Trade Show held at the Kwanlin Dn Cultural Centre on Nov. 18, 2024.Dana Hatherly/Yukon News<br /> Dana Hatherly</span><br /> <br /> <div dir="auto"> <span style="color:#800000;">On the heels of a mining conference that drew hundreds of people over multiple days, Yukon Chamber of Mines executive director Jonas Smith is overall optimistic about the state of the mining industry, despite the heap leach facility failure at Victoria Gold’s Eagle Gold Mine. </span></div> <div dir="auto"> </div> <div dir="auto"> <span style="color:#800000;">During a phone interview with the News on Nov. 20, Smith said the fallout of the disaster was a major topic throughout the Yukon Geoscience Forum and Trade Show held at the Kwanlin Dn Cultural Centre from Nov. 17-20. </span></div> <div dir="auto"> </div> <div dir="auto"> <span style="color:#800000;">As far as delegate registrations goes, Smith said it was the most successful geoscience conference to date. </span><br /> <br /> <span style="color:#000000;">Mines chamber leader optimistic for industry despite Victoria Gold disaster. <br /> <br /> On the heels of a mining conference that drew hundreds of people over multiple days, Yukon Chamber of Mines executive director Jonas Smith is overall optimistic about the state of the mining industry, despite the heap leach facility failure at Victoria Gold’s Eagle Gold Mine. <br /> <br /> During a phone interview with the News on Nov. 20, Smith said the fallout of the disaster was a major topic throughout the Yukon Geoscience Forum and Trade Show held at the Kwanlin Dn Cultural Centre from Nov. 17-20.
As far as delegate registrations goes, Smith said it was the most successful geoscience conference to date.
We tried to provide a forum for everyone to get together, Smith said, noting there were perspectives shared by various First Nation leaders as well as the government and the regulator.
One of the common themes I heard throughout that is, you know, everyone supports mining and exploration in the territory, and everyone wants to get it right and make sure that the environment is protected and that the benefits stay here in the Yukon.
The topic of the Eagle Gold Mine was part of what have been described as tough conversations at the conference.
The multi-day mining event kicked off with a “family day” on Nov. 16 at the Canada Games Centre, where information sheets on the mine incident were handed out, Smith said. The premier and mines minister clearly addressed the incident. Presentations were given on the geology side and the sustainability side. It peppered talks across the board because, Smith said, it impacts including the investment potential, regulatory, environmental and First Nations relations.
Before Smith weighs in too much on the cyanide-laden landslide at the mine site, he is waiting for the final report expected around June 2025 by an independent review board.
“I think it's important, as challenging as it may be, but we need to find out what happened,” he said.
“I hope that people can find the patience, because we all need to get this right. We want to make sure this doesn't happen again.”
Mining in the Yukon is economic, cultural and historical, Smith said. It’s the largest piece of the puzzle in the territory. The Yukon is posed to provide 27 of 34 critical minerals.
“Anyone who has a cellphone or an e-bike requires those minerals, and they have to come from somewhere,” Smith said.
“They can either come from a country that has no labour laws, no environmental oversight, you know, there's children working in dangerous conditions, or we can do it here in our own backyards, responsibly with processes that involve First Nation oversight and legislated community input and make sure that the benefits and the jobs flow to Yukoners.”
Smith said something to keep an eye on is Western Copper and Gold’s Casino Project, a proposed open pit mine and gold heap leach facility that has been working its way through the assessment process.
“The world needs 150 Casinos to meet the current demand,” he said.
Smith indicated there are reasons to be optimistic about the mining industry since the Eagle Gold Mine is only one operation, albeit a significant one that produced hundreds of jobs and millions of dollars in economic stimulation in the Yukon.
“There are multiple advanced mineral exploration projects across the territory,” he said.
“Something that I don't think is getting nearly enough attention is the Selkirk Development Corporation is undergoing the process to acquire the assets and purchase the Minto Mine. And I mean, I cannot understate how transformational having the Yukon First Nation-owned mine would be for not only our industry, but the entire territory.”