Yukon Government sign outside the Jim Smith Building in downtown Whitehorse. CKRW File Photo Courtesy of Macklen Linke.
Whitehorse, YT – The Klondike Placer Miners’ Association (KPMA) is pausing high-level engagement with the Yukon government, citing long-standing frustrations with what it calls a broken regulatory system.
The group made the announcement at its spring meeting on May 16, saying delays in permitting, environmental assessments and water licensing are putting the industry at risk.
Outgoing executive director Brooke Rudolph, who announced her resignation at the meeting, said placer miners are struggling to operate under mounting regulatory pressure.
“Permitting, environmental assessment and water licensing delays; polygon expansion; inconsistent inspections; and too many regulatory and policy changes implemented all at once are killing [placer mining],” said Rudolph in a statement.
The KPMA says some miners are facing permit expiries with no clear timeline for renewal. It has previously called for temporary licence extensions to help operators caught in what it describes as a regulatory backlog.
In a written statement, a Yukon government spokesperson said efforts are underway to streamline processes, and that Premier Ranj Pillai has raised the issue of environmental assessment delays with Ottawa.
“While we respect the Klondike Placer Miners’ Association’s decision to pause high-level engagement, we remain committed to collaboration and continued progress,” the statement said.
