Whitehorse, Yukon – The 52nd Annual Yukon Geoscience Forum & Trade Show concluded on November 20 bringing together over 700 registered delegates and exhibitors; an attendance record for the Yukon Chamber of Mines-hosted event.
“This year’s show was our biggest to date and gave industry, First Nations, government decision-makers and regulators the opportunity to share their perspectives and discuss what unites us, as well as what we have to work on, to galvanize our partnerships to help advance sustainability, certainty and public trust,” reflects Yukon Chamber of Mines Executive Director Jonas Smith upon his first Annual Yukon Geoscience Forum in this role. “I would like to thank all our partners, sponsors, speakers, presenters and delegates for making this year such a success.”
The event was coordinated in-house this year by staff and a volunteer committee. It included an opportunity for the public to attend sustainability-oriented presentations without requiring paid registration to help Yukoners better understand the significant opportunities and benefits Yukon exploration and mining provide locally and hear industry’s commitment to ‘doing it the right way’ first hand.
The Yukon Chamber of Mines also held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) with members resulting in a new president and board as follows:
Allan Nixon, BMC Minerals – President
Andrew Carne, Cascadia Minerals – 1st Vice President
Brandon Duncan, Backcountry Resources – 2nd Vice President
Stuart Murray, Small’s Expediting Services – Director
Mike Burke, Sitka Gold Corp. – Director
Pamela O’Hara, Ecowest Consultants – Director
Sebastien Tolgyesi, Hecla Mining – Director
Shena Shaw, Casino Mining Corp. – Director
Alan Lebedoff, ALX Exploration and Mining Supplies – Director
Hecla Mining’s Loralee Johnstone served as President for the last three years and will now continue on the board as Past President.
It’s been an honour and a privilege to serve the Yukon Chamber of Mines as President and I look forward to continuing to support the members, the board and our collective efforts to be a balanced, clear and strong voice for our industry,” says Johnstone. “We extend our thanks to out-
going board members Dave Rouleau and Christian Roldan for their years of service and wish them every success in their future endeavors.”
“I’ve been committed to the work of the Yukon Chamber of Mines for many years and am excited to assume the board’s Presidency and together, with such a strong and dedicated board and staff at the helm, support sustainable exploration and mining in the territory so that it survives and thrives for the benefit of all Yukoners well into the future,” says Allan Nixon. “There is much work to do and the Chamber will continue to represent our membership to ensure their voice is heard in the discussions to come about industry’s place and role in the Yukon.”
Next year’s Annual Yukon Geoscience Forum & Trade Show is set for November 16 to 19, 2025 in Whitehorse.