Government of Yukon

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FOR RELEASE     #07-256
November 27, 2007

Mining Awards Announced for Outstanding Reclamation

WHITEHORSE – Recipients of the annual Robert E. Leckie Award for outstanding quartz (hard rock) and placer reclamation practices were announced Nov. 26, 2007 at the Yukon Geoscience Forum banquet.

"These awards acknowledge the efforts by exploration and mining companies, operators and others who go above and beyond the normal call of duty for responsible mining and reclamation," Energy, Mines and Resources Minister Archie Lang said.
These best practices include: adding features to the land that notably enhance the area and local community; returning mined land to a condition that is not only structurally sound but also aesthetically pleasing; or cleanup on properties mined prior to mining land use regulations coming into effect.

Minister Lang, Yukon Chamber of Mines president John Witham and Klondike Placer Miners’ Association president Mike McDougall presented the awards to:

• Yukon Nevada Gold Corporation for their reclamation at Ketza River; and
• No Name Resources Inc. for their reclamation at Ten Mile and Thirteen Mile creeks.

There were also two honourable mention awards given to:

• Selwyn Resources Ltd. for their reclamation at Howard’s Pass; and
• Ross Mining Ltd. for their reclamation at Dominion Creek.

Energy, Mines and Resources oversees the coordination of these awards. A committee comprised of representatives from government, mining associations and the private sector evaluated the nominations and made recommendations to the department.
Bob Leckie, after whom the award was named, was a Mayo mining inspector and an innovator dedicated to developing progressive land use practices for mining.

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Below: Descriptions of recipients’ outstanding reclamation work.

Contact:  
Roxanne Vallevand
Cabinet Communications Advisor
(867) 633-7949 
roxanne.vallevand@gov.yk.ca		 Tara O’Donovan
Communications Analyst, EMR 
(867) 667-3183  
tara.odonovan@gov.yk.ca  


  

 

Yukon Nevada Gold Corporation
Robert E. Leckie Award for Outstanding Quartz Reclamation Practices

Yukon Nevada Gold Corporation is operating a drill program in the Ketza River area near Ross River.
They have worked hard to design a vigorous cleanup program for this previously abandoned site. Their reclamation efforts include: removing waste petroleum, contaminants, and chemicals from the site, disposing of six hundred empty barrels, removing one hundred truckloads of trash, and eliminating scrap metal from waste sites.
In addition to this waste removal program, Yukon Nevada Gold has re-sloped and seeded three waste dump areas as well as cleaned up the mill, and removed several old buildings. An incinerator now replaces the landfill and the company has taken an assertive stance with their operators to ensure that sumps are in place for every drill site.
This award recognizes Yukon Nevada Gold’s progressive policies and unwavering efforts to reclaim this mine site.

 

No Name Resources Inc.
Robert E. Leckie Award for Outstanding Placer Mining Reclamation Practices

No Name Resources Inc. has been placer mining at Ten Mile and Thirteen Mile Creeks, in the Dawson mining district since 2003.
Brent and Rosemary Pasareno took over several properties which had been mined by previous operators since the 1970s, when no legislation existed to encourage reclamation practices.
They have cleaned both areas, and removed abandoned equipment, tanks and debris to a single storage yard for each site. They have sloped and contoured old mining works and camp areas, rehabilitating two sites that can now re-vegetate naturally. They are indeed exemplary operators.

 

Selwyn Resources Ltd.
Honourable Mention
Robert E. Leckie Award for Outstanding Quartz Reclamation Practices

Selwyn Resources Ltd. is conducting a drill program in Howard’s Pass which straddles the border of Yukon and Northwest Territories. The majority of the program is in Yukon.
This award recognizes this company’s commitment to integrate progressive environmental and socio-economic practices into its operations.
In addition to using the most modern equipment and sampling techniques to collect high quality data for 18 environmental baseline studies, they have also involved the Kaska Tribal Council in their “hands-on” environmental fieldwork.
Selwyn Resources has also made significant contributions to Dechen la Camp in order to develop environmental awareness for over 20 young people within the territory. Their well-rounded programs and ‘best practices’ are undoubtedly an asset to the mining industry.

 

 

Ross Mining Ltd.
Honourable Mention
Robert E. Leckie Award for Outstanding Placer Mining Reclamation Practices

Ross Mining Ltd. runs a placer operation on Dominion Creek near Dawson City. Jon Rudolph has continued this company’s tradition of responsible and exemplary reclamation works since becoming president.
At this site, stripping, mining and reclamation occur concurrently. The disturbed area is carefully contoured and topsoil is spread to encourage rapid revegetation. There are extensive areas that are reclaimed with healthy regrowth. Reclaimed areas are aesthetically pleasing and complement the natural valley landscape.
In a pilot project with other private sector partners, Ross Mining is working to establish and market Yukon placer gold as a “green” product; gold that is mined and produced using the highest environmental and human rights standards.  This additional incentive could effect change in the placer industry as a whole and demonstrates the exemplary practices of Ross Mining Ltd