WHITEHORSE – The Yukon Chamber of Mines (YCM) is concerned with the Government of Yukon’s proposed New Minerals Legislation (NML) framework as currently drafted.
According to a July 30, 2025 release from the First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun (FNNND), the First Nation government has advised Yukon Premier Mike Pemberton that it “rejects Yukon Government’s framework for new minerals legislation.”
Although the rationale behind the YCM’s and FNNND’s respective lack of support for the proposed framework may be informed by unique perspectives, disappointment over the process to provide input into the draft and its subsequent outcome appears to be shared.
“After many months of requests, the Yukon Chamber of Mines was only recently provided with a complete copy of the draft New Minerals Legislation framework document from Yukon Government, and what we finally received was concerning,” says YCM Executive Director Jonas Smith.
The framework remains under embargo at the time of this release, so the YCM is limited in its ability to comment on specifics or share information with, or consult, YCM members directly.
“What we can say is that while there are elements the YCM supports in principle and looks forward to discussing further, there are also proposals that introduce sweeping changes which disregard established conventions and would threaten the Yukon’s ability to remain viable and competitive in a global investment market.
Proposals that were clearly conceived in a vacuum absent of industry perspective or operational reality,” continues Smith.
“Additionally, while we acknowledge that this draft framework reflects some aspects of the input the YCM had provided on the limited excerpts shared earlier in the engagement process, given the extensive scope of the full framework, it is simply unreasonable to expect a thorough review when we still are unable to consult with our broader membership on this confidential government-to-government document. For these reasons we are not in a position to support it at this time.”
This is not the first time YCM concern has been publicly raised.
Approximately two months ago, in a news release and through subsequent media interviews, the YCM voiced its frustration regarding the NML framework engagement process; citing issues with lack of transparency and unreasonable consultation schedules which failed to accommodate mining industry members’ seasonal availability to participate.
“While we appreciate that the Yukon Government delayed its previously contemplated timeline by a few weeks, it is still the middle of the territory’s short mining season and our volunteer board, executive and members are out working in the field,” concludes Smith.
“Given the importance of balancing the mineral industry’s significant contributions to the territory’s economy with the need for a modernized legislative setting that is responsible and respectful of treaty rights, while ensuring a globally competitive regulatory regime, this framework is too important to exclude industry perspective.
I can say unreservedly that the mining industry wants to work together with the public and First Nations governments. We have to get this right for the sake of all Yukoners, but we cannot support what is being proposed in its current form and timeline.”
To learn more about the Yukon Chamber of Mines, please visit yukonminers.org
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Amanda Leslie
Mosaic Communications
867.334.4770
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