Whitehorse, Yukon – The 2025 Yukon Geoscience Forum & Trade Show has concluded resulting in historically high attendance and sponsorship, reflecting renewed energy, optimism and investment in the territory’s exploration and mining industry.
Presented by the Yukon Chamber of Mines, this annual event is the largest private sector conference in the territory bringing together over 1000 registrants, speakers and exhibitors at the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre in Whitehorse; a record for this 53-year-old cornerstone event.
One program highlight included a rousing keynote address by entrepreneur, philanthropist and Canadian Mining Hall of Fame inductee Pierre Lassonde who spoke frankly and firmly about the territory’s urgent need to seize the current convergence of the Yukon’s world-class geology, record global metals and minerals prices and newfound federal political will surrounding critical minerals.
“Carpe diem, seize the day. We are at a confluence of time where all the stars are lined up for the Yukon to really become a powerhouse in terms of mining in Canada and create serious wealth for Yukoners,” said Lassonde. “If Yukon does the right thing over the next three to five years, on a GDP per capita, Yukon could be the richest [jurisdiction] in Canada. That goal is attainable, it is not fantasy, it’s real, but Yukon has got to get its act together.”
Asked what the Yukon needs to do to, Lassonde responded, “The biggest killer of mining projects is time. So, the number one thing is streamlining the permitting process.”
Yukon Chamber of Mines Executive Director Jonas Smith said enthusiasm throughout the fourday event was palpable. “The outlook of the attendees and exhibitors this year was so positive and focused on all that is possible for the industry and the committed individuals who lead it here. Following a challenging past few years, with renewed optimism and a change in the territorial government, we are poised to heed Mr. Lassonde’s wise words and do our part for the benefit of all Yukoners.”
Another much-anticipated aspect of the Forum is the annual Banquet and the presentation of awards by the Yukon Government, the Yukon Chamber of Mines and the Yukon Prospectors’ Association.
The Yukon Leckie Awards, named in honour of late Mayo mining inspector Robert (Bob) E. Leckie, are given to individual mining operators and companies for demonstrated excellence in environmental stewardship, outstanding social responsibility and leadership and innovation in mining practices. Yukon Chamber of Mines awards recognize members’ and companies’ industry best practices and community efforts, and the Yukon Prospectors’ Association announce the prospector of the year. The award recipients are listed below.
The Yukon Chamber of Mines also held its Annual General Meeting. Continuing into the second of their two-year terms are president Allan Nixon (BMC Minerals), second vice president Brandon Duncan (BCR) and directors Shena Shaw (Casino Mining), Stuart Murray (Small’s Expediting), Sebastien Tolgyesi (Orla Mining) and Alan Lebedoff (ALX Exploration & Mining Supplies). Andrew Carne (Cascadia Minerals) was acclaimed for a further two-year term as First Vice President and Mike Burke (Sitka Gold) as a director. Jeni Gjertsen (Fuerte Metals) is new to the board and will be commencing her two-year term as director.
“We extend our sincere appreciation to our volunteer board of directors for their dedication and commitment to the industry,” continued Smith. “We thank all those who are returning to serve and wish Pamela O’Hara, who has moved on to project opportunities outside the territory, much thanks and every success moving forward.”
The 2026 Annual Yukon Geoscience Forum & Trade Show is set for mid-November next year. To learn more about the Yukon Chamber of Mines, visit www.yukonminers.ca
Awards
Robert E. Leckie Award Recipients
Excellence in Environmental Stewardship in placer mining award: NBC Contracting
Excellence in Environmental Stewardship in quartz mining award: Hecla Mining
Responsible and Innovative Exploration and Mining Practices award: Snowline Gold
Yukon Chamber of Mines Award Recipients
Two First Nation Mining Awards were handed out this year.
First Nation Mining Award: Alpha-El Inc.
First Nation Mining Award; Käganì Limited Partnership
Community Award: Snowline Gold
Mining and Exploration Member Award: Heather Burrell, Archer Cathro & Associates
Service and Supply Members Award: ALX Exploration and Mining Supplies
Yukon Prospectors’ Association Award Recipient
Prospector of the Year: Corwin (Cor) Coe, Director and CEO of Sitka Gold Corp.
The Awards Banquet also featured a live auction for the Yukon Imagination Library; the territory’s family literacy program which provides free books to Yukoners from birth to the age of five throughout the territory. The live auction raised over $60,000 and the Yukon Government will contribute a further $50,000 to the program.
“Yet again, our industry heeded the call to support our community in an enormous way as they always do, where the 300 exploration, mining and service and supply guests in attendance raised almost enough money to fund the charity for an entire year in a single night,” concluded Smith. “Whether times are challenging or not, Yukon exploration, mining and service supply businesses come together to make Yukoners’ lives significantly better.”
Photo: 2025 Annual Yukon Geoscience Forum & Trade Show Awards Banquet
Credit: Crystal Schick Photography
Media Inquiries
Amanda Leslie Mosaic Communications
867.334.4770
yukonmosaic@gmail.com