Towards Sustainable Mining (TSM)
Canada's Towards Sustainable Mining program sets audited protocols across critical areas:
- Tailings management: Design, construction, and monitoring standards
- Water stewardship: Quality monitoring and discharge controls
- Biodiversity conservation: Impact assessment and mitigation
- GHG emissions: Reporting and reduction commitments
- Community engagement: Meaningful consultation and benefit-sharing
Yukon mining projects increasingly commit to TSM or equivalent frameworks, with facility-level reporting and third-party verification.
Environmental Stewardship
Water Management
Modern operations implement comprehensive water management systems, including treatment facilities, monitoring networks, and adaptive management plans to protect aquatic ecosystems and drinking water sources.
Reclamation and Closure
Companies must post security bonds and develop detailed closure plans before operations begin. Reclamation involves recontouring land, establishing vegetation, and ensuring long-term site stability and safety.
Community and Indigenous Partnerships
Responsible mining requires meaningful engagement with Yukon First Nations and local communities. Modern agreements often include:
- Employment and training commitments
- Business partnership opportunities
- Revenue-sharing arrangements
- Cultural heritage protection
- Environmental co-management
Regulatory Framework
Yukon mining operates under multiple layers of regulation and oversight:
- YESAA (Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Act)
- Yukon Water Board licensing and permitting
- First Nation consultation and accommodation requirements
- Federal oversight for certain activities (fisheries, species at risk)
The Path Forward
Sustainable mining balances economic benefits with environmental protection and community well-being. Investors, regulators, and communities increasingly scrutinize permitting transparency,indigenous partnerships, and long-term closure planning. The industry continues to evolve toward higher standards and greater accountability.