Canadian Government announce commitment to build infrastructure in Yukon

On 2 September, the prime minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, along with the Yukon premier Sandy Silver announced that over CAN$360 million will be provided in combined federal and territorial funding.

The funding will be directed towards improving road access in two mineral-rich areas of the territory: the Dawson Range in Central Yukon and the Nahanni Range road in southeastern Yukon. Two MAC members have projects in the region: Goldcorp’s Coffee project and Western Copper and Gold’s Casino project. These projects will contribute billions in new investment in the territory, and will create thousands of direct and indirect jobs.

“This collaboration between both levels of government is exactly the strategic action needed to capitalize on the significant mineral potential in the Yukon and across Canada’s North. In turn, sustainable mineral development will help grow the economy, and contribute to building healthy and vibrant local and Indigenous communities,” stated Pierre Gratton, President and CEO, MAC.

“We thank the Prime Minister and the Yukon Premier for their leadership and we hope this serves as an example of what can be replicated to great success across the northern regions of the country.”

Infrastructure is key to improving the industry’s competitiveness, as well as Canada’s ability to attract new mining investments against other countries. At the same time, the Canadian mining industry’s growth opportunities are increasingly located in areas of severely lacking in roads, rail lines and electricity. A recent study found that the infrastructure deficit across the territories and northern areas of the provinces has been inhibiting sustainable mining development, despite the significant mineral potential that exists in these regions. The study found that it costs up to six times more to explore, and more than double to build a mine in remote and northern Canada compared to southern regions of the country.

Read the article online at: https://www.globalminingreview.com/exploration-development/11092017/canadian-government-announce-commitment-to-build-infrastructure-in-yukon/