Newmont Corporation, a leading global mining firm, has come to an agreement with the Yukon Department of Energy, Mines and Resources (EMR) to relinquish 1,835 quartz mining claims, representing 88,707.5 net mineral acres, in support of the Yukon government’s and First Nations’ efforts to maintain environmentally sensitive areas associated with the Peel Watershed Regional Land Use Plan.
“We are working together with First Nations to implement the regional land use plan for the Peel watershed that reflects our shared values,” said John Streicker, Yukon’s Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources. “We are pleased to see this next step taking place. I’d like to thank Newmont for making this land concession and contributing towards the protection of the Peel.”
“Newmont’s purpose is to create value and improve lives through sustainable and responsible mining. We are pleased to honor that purpose by surrendering these mining claims in support of broader environmental objectives,” said Tom Palmer, president and chief executive officer of Newmont. “We are supportive of the Peel watershed plan and are doing our part to maintain this sensitive area. I congratulate all parties in their shared effort to protect the Peel River Watershed.”
John Streicker, Yukon’s Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources. (Credit: Yukon Legislative Assembly.)
In 2019, the Peel Plan was approved by the Yukon Government and Yukon First Nations including the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in, the First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun, Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation, and the Gwich’in Tribal Council. The plan provides direction on the management of land and resources in the Peel Watershed.
Historical exploration on the claims by Newmont indicated that there is potential for copper and gold mineralization. However, the company has not been actively exploring the area given the Peel watershed plan and is now surrendering these claims in support of broader community objectives.
Newmont continues to work cooperatively with the Yukon Government, the Government of Canada and First Nations to progress development of the Coffee Mine Project. Newmont’s Coffee Mine Project is a proposed open-pit and heap leach gold development project located in west-central Yukon, and it is currently going through the Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Board’s screening process.
John Streicker in a photo posted to social media on July 3 to raise awareness about the impacts of climate change and about flooding in the Southern Lakes. “On a normal year the water would be around my feet. This is how much extra water we have right now,” he said. (Credit: John Streicker/Facebook)
Newmont is the world’s leading gold company and a producer of copper, silver, zinc and lead. The company’s portfolio of assets, prospects, and talent is anchored in favorable mining jurisdictions in North America, South America, Australia and Africa. Newmont is the only gold producer listed in the S&P 500 Index and is widely recognized for its principled environmental, social and governance practices for sustainable and responsible mining.
