September 3, 2024

Business

Yukon Metals Announces Positive Results of up to 14.1 g/t gold and 4,260 ppm copper from Surface Rock Chip and Soils Sampling up to 0.99 g/t gold at its Birch Property (Insider Tracking)

Yukon Metals Corp. announced positive exploration results from its Birch project, revealing gold grades up to 14.1 g/t and copper levels reaching 4,260 ppm from surface rock chip and soil sampling. The project, located 65 km northeast of Burwash Landing, shows a significant mineralized system with a soil anomaly extending over 1,400 meters. The company plans to further investigate the area using geophysical methods to delineate bedrock structures.

Yukon Metals samples up to 14.1 g/t gold and 4,260 ppm copper at Birch property, Yukon (Resource World Magazine)

Yukon Metals Corp. reported promising exploration results from its Birch project in Yukon, with soil samples showing up to 0.988 g/t gold and 2,310 ppm copper, and a rock-chip sample revealing 14.1 g/t gold and 4,260 ppm copper. The project area, characterized by diverse geology, indicates potential for a gold-rich copper porphyry system. Yukon Metals plans further exploration using geophysical methods to delineate bedrock structures and aims to contribute to local community prosperity while enhancing stakeholder value.

Advocacy group asks for details of $1B sale to Indigenous consortium in the North (APTN News)

A public interest group is urging Bell Media to disclose financial details about its proposed $1 billion sale of Northwestel to the Indigenous consortium Sixty North Unity (SNU). The sale raises concerns regarding pricing and service quality for customers reliant on Northwestel, which currently holds a monopoly in northern telecommunications. Advocacy for transparency is growing as stakeholders question the deal's implications for competition and Indigenous representation in management. The CRTC is reviewing the situation, while Bell maintains that disclosing sensitive information could harm business interests.

Victoria Gold owes more than $315M to unsecured and secured creditors (Yukon News)

Victoria Gold owes over $315 million to secured and unsecured creditors following a landslide and heap leach facility failure at its Eagle Mine. The company has $824.75 million in assets but faces urgent financial challenges, with secured creditors likely to recover more than unsecured creditors. PricewaterhouseCoopers is managing the receivership after a court denied Victoria Gold's request for a delay to restructure its debts.

Future of Road Dogs Music uncertain amid building maintenance issues (96.1 The Rush)

The future of Road Dogs Music in Whitehorse is uncertain due to ongoing building maintenance issues that led to a temporary closure. Owner Willow Gamberg is struggling to find an affordable new location and has faced difficulties communicating with landlords. While exploring alternatives like pop-up shops or an online store, she remains optimistic about community support and hopes for legislative changes to aid small businesses. Customers are encouraged to support the store through online orders, with hopes of reopening soon.

Education

Community committees allow Yukon First Nations to have more say over schools (CBC)

The First Nation School Board in Yukon is empowering communities by establishing community committees that replace traditional school councils, allowing local First Nations to have greater authority over school governance. These committees, which have legal authority under the Education Act, aim to ensure that community voices are heard in educational decisions, incorporating local teachings and knowledge. The committees have already made impactful decisions, such as adjusting the school year to honor community traditions.

Environment

Review board set to look into Eagle Gold Mine landslide (APTN)

The Yukon government has initiated an independent review board to investigate a landslide at the Eagle Gold Mine, which resulted in a cyanide spill into nearby waters. The board will assess the heap leach facility's design and operations to prevent future failures. The First Nation Na-Cho Nyäk Dun has called for a public inquiry instead, expressing concerns about their involvement in the review process. The Trʼondëk Hwëchʼin First Nation supports this demand, highlighting the historical impact of mining disasters on First Nations. The review is expected to take six to eight months.

Yukon appoints board to investigate cause of 'catastrophic failure' at Eagle mine (CBC News)

The Yukon government has appointed an independent review board to investigate the June 24 heap leach failure at Victoria Gold's Eagle mine, which resulted in a significant cyanide spill. The board, consisting of three experts, will examine the design, construction, and operation of the heap leach facility over the next six to eight months. The First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun has raised concerns about their involvement in the review process and is advocating for a public inquiry to address broader systemic issues related to the incident.

Independent technical review of Eagle Gold mine failure begins (Government of Yukon)

The Government of Yukon has initiated an Independent Review Board to investigate the causes of the heap-leach failure at Victoria Gold’s Eagle Gold mine, which occurred on June 24, 2024. The review aims to assess the design, construction, operation, maintenance, and monitoring of the facility, with a commitment to transparency and public disclosure of results within six to eight months. The board comprises three experts: Jean-Marie Konrad, Les Sawatsky, and Mark E. Smith, who bring extensive experience in geotechnical engineering and mine management. The findings will inform future practices to prevent similar incidents and guide potential remediation and restart options for the mine.

Government of Yukon provides latest update on heap leach failure at Victoria Gold’s Eagle Gold Mine (Government of Yukon)

The Government of Yukon has provided an update regarding the heap leach failure at Victoria Gold’s Eagle Gold Mine, as detailed in a news release dated August 30, 2024.

Government

Kluane First Nation re-elects Robert Dickson as chief (Yukon News)

Robert Dickson has been re-elected as chief of the Kluane First Nation, with Joyce Johnson-Albert, Di’yet van Leishout, and Kathleen Johnson also elected to the council. The newly elected council was sworn in on August 27, and Premier Ranj Pillai congratulated Dickson, noting his collaboration with the Yukon government on various projects.

Election Nominations Open September 10 (City of Whitehorse)

The nomination period for the 2024 Whitehorse Municipal Election opens on September 10. Candidates for mayor or councillor positions can obtain nomination forms at City Hall or online. Submissions are accepted by appointment until September 26 at noon, with no late submissions allowed. Additional information on candidates and voter registration is available on the city’s election website.

Health

Pay public Yukon hospital workers same as private agencies: union (Yukon News)

The Yukon Employees’ Union argues that public hospital workers in Yukon should receive pay comparable to private agency staff, highlighting that agency staffing costs significantly more. The union cites a $2.9 million deficit faced by the Yukon Hospital Corporation, which has led to increased reliance on costly agency nurses. While the hospital corporation acknowledges the financial strain of using agency staff, it emphasizes the complexity of matching agency rates due to additional costs associated with agency employment. Efforts are being made to recruit more permanent staff and reduce reliance on agency workers.

Infrastructure

Backup telecom line would’ve prevented mass disruptions: Northwestel (Yukon News)

Northwestel claims that mass disruptions to internet and phone services in Yukon on August 25 could have been avoided if the Dempster Fibre Line Project had been completed. The outage was caused by a power failure at a Northwestel site, and while backup systems failed, improvements are being made. The Dempster Fibre Line, which will provide a backup communication route, is scheduled for completion in 2024, with additional funding allocated to expedite progress. Concerns remain about the reliability of telecommunications in the region, with calls for better infrastructure to prevent future outages.

City authorizes sale of Copper Ridge lot to Yukon government for $1 (Yukon News)

The City of Whitehorse has authorized the sale of a two-hectare lot in Copper Ridge to the Yukon government for $1, facilitating development that could accommodate over 100 homes. A development agreement must be in place by December 13, 2027, or the land will revert to the city. Concerns were raised by Councillor Dan Boyd about potential exclusive development by outside developers, limiting local builders' opportunities. The timeline for development has been shortened to just under three years and four months.

City names Whitehorse Blue Bin for provider of recycling services (Yukon News)

The City of Whitehorse has chosen Whitehorse Blue Bin to provide temporary recycling services due to the closure of Raven ReCentre's public drop-off on September 15, 2024. The new program includes curbside recycling and a depot at the landfill, with services starting on September 10 and curbside pick-up in December. Proposed fees are $1 per bag at the depot and $12.50 monthly for curbside service, with further details to be announced.

Sports

Vancouver charity expands to Yukon providing sports gear to youth (Yukon News)

The Vancouver-based charity Sports for Support, founded by Cameron Lee, is expanding to Yukon to provide sports gear to youth, including Indigenous and remote communities. The organization has already delivered eight boxes of hockey equipment to the Whitehorse Minor Hockey Association and aims to facilitate access to sports gear for families across the territory. Lee met with Yukon Premier Ranj Pillai to discuss further expansion and collaboration, highlighting the need for accessible sporting equipment in the region.

Yukon paralympian Jessica Frotten named to sports hall of fame in Saskatchewan (CBC)

Yukon paralympian Jessica Frotten has been inducted into the Regina Sports Hall of Fame in Saskatchewan, recognizing her exceptional achievements in wheelchair racing and her advocacy for para athletics. Frotten, who began her athletic career after a spinal cord injury in 2009, has won numerous medals, including gold at national competitions, and was part of the Canadian Paralympics team in 2020. Her induction ceremony is set for October, marking a significant honor as she is the first wheelchair athlete to be recognized by the hall.

Rookie roller from Yukon scores perfect game in duckpin bowling at Canada 55+ games (CBC)

Helen Dewell from Dawson City, Yukon, achieved a perfect game in duckpin bowling at the Canada 55 Plus Games, marking her first competition in the sport. Despite limited practice due to the absence of a local bowling alley, she scored 12 consecutive strikes, earning a gold medal. Dewell attributed her success to a mix of luck, concentration, and a positive mindset, drawing inspiration from her gardening hobby.