On November 21st, 2022 during the 50th Golden Anniversary of the Yukon Geoscience Forum & Trade Show, the Yukon Chamber of Mines (YCM) awarded the 2022 Community Award, Member Award, First Nation Award, Leckie Awards, and Yukon Prospectors Award at the Geoscience Awards Banquet.
Community Award
Congratulations to Tatra Ventures for receiving the 2022 YCM Community Award for their work creating a swimming pond for Dawson City residents as part of their restoration on the Klondike River claims. This work is a great example of value-based reclamation and raises the bar for miners to work with community members in reclaiming or restoring sites to a desired outcome specific to their location. This swimming hole included an island and sand, but more importantly it created a new community recreation spot for Dawsonites.
First Nation Award
Congratulations to First Kaska GP Ltd. for receiving the 2022 YCM First Nations Award, for socially responsible practices, environmental stewardship, and leadership in innovation. First Kaska undertook several activities over the past year related to the responsible advancement of Yukon’s mining industry, including encouraging First Nations and Industry partnership participation in sustainable development, promoting and development of clean technology to advance future projects [current development of a 5 MW solar farm in Watson Lake, YT that will lessen dependence on diesel generated electricity which can be utilized for future resource development, among other uses] and engaging local First Nation government and band members to compile skills needed for employment and training opportunities which lead to the training and employment of 68 members including 25 environmental technicians and 10 heavy equipment operators, among others.
Member Award
Congratulations to Clynt Nauman and Brad Thrall of Alexco Resources for receiving the 2022 Member Award for their leadership in community engagement and environmentally responsible development. Alexco Resources undertook effective engagement with local communities and the public, engaged early and respectfully with affected First Nations governments, and operated in an environmentally responsible manner, mitigated environmental impacts, and worked to reduce the environmental footprint of the project and the project activities.
YCM would like to congratulate the Leckie Award and Prospector of the Year Award winners for their contributions to a responsible and sustainable mining industry.
“The annual Yukon Geoscience Forum & Trade Show Awards are an informal yardstick to measure and celebrate the progress of the Yukon mining industry. Once again, we are delighted by the success stories of this year’s winners, which highlight the important work taking place in our Territory, including ensuring that First Nation Peoples gain long-term and meaningful benefits from resource development projects.” Loralee Johnstone, President, Yukon Chamber of Mines
“The success stories we’ve heard at this year’s Yukon Geoscience Forum reinforce my view that mining has a bright future in the territory. We have world-class mineral potential, combined with an industry that continues to innovate, making us well- positioned to contribute to a low carbon future. I’m committed to ensuring that we have a competitive industry that respects the environment and First Nations rights.” Hon. John Streicker, Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources
“The Yukon mining industry is progressive, innovative, and partnership driven. It is an industry that we can all be proud of. The recipients of these awards have done and are doing their part to ensure that our industry has a positive and lasting legacy for all Yukoners. Congratulations to all of this year’s award recipients and thank you for your commitment to the Yukon, its people, and its communities.” Scott Donaldson, CEO and Executive Director, BMC Mineral
YCM would like to offer special thanks to our Partners at Yukon Government, Energy Mines and Resources and Economic Development, along with our title sponsor BMC Minerals, Platinum sponsors CanNor and SSRG.
Thank you to our 2022 Gold sponsors: Air North Yukon’s Airline, Alkan Air, Archer Cathro & Associates, Ausenco, Cobalt Construction, JDS Group of Companies, Newmont, NexGen Mechanical Solutions, Pelly Construction, Small’s Expediting, Snowline Gold and Yukon Mining Alliance.
Thank you to our Silver sponsors: Associated Engineering, BQE Water, Casino Mining, CSR Management, Hecla Mining, Horizon Helicopters, Northwestel, Northern Vision Development, Sodexo, Solid Sound, Summit Camps, Underhill Geomatics.
Thank you to our Copper sponsors: Back Country Resources, Kluane Drilling, Minto Metals, SGS, Tetra Tech Canada.
Thank you to our Nickel Sponsors: ATAC Resources, Borealis Fuels, Commissionaires, GroundTruth Explorations, Maven Water & Environment, Seabridge Gold, SLR Consulting, Mercer Contracting, Yukon Building Trades Council, Total North.
Thank you to our Zinc sponsors: Agentis Capital, Dorado Drilling, Fireweed Metals, Rockhaven Resources, Sitka Gold, Strategic Metals, Terrane Geosciences.
Thank you to our Friend Sponsors: Banyan Gold and Simcoe Geoscience.
Without your support Geoscience would not be the success it has been over the last 50 years.
For more information:
Brianne Warner
Executive Director
Yukon Chamber of Mines