The KPMA held its Annual General Meeting Friday, September 5th at the Palace Grand, resulting in a few changes to its Board of Directors and executive positions. We are pleased to welcome director Neil Loveless to the position of President, and director Liam Ferguson to the position of Vice President. Lisa Favron will continue her term as Secretary Treasurer. We also welcomed a new director, Dan Caley of Golden Nights Energy. We look forward to working with Dan and his future contributions. Past president Will Fellers will continue working with the board as a director. Directors Harold Schmidt, Mike McDougall, Stuart Schmidt, and Pascal McBurney will continue their rolls for their term. Thank you to everyone that took the time to join us at the meeting, and for supporting the work of the KPMA. We look forward to continuing to strive for an industry that benefits our operators, communities, and shared environment. Enjoy the rest of the season!

Following our media release last week, KPMA President Will Fellers and Brooke Rudolph have been featured in several news outlets. Visit the links below to hear what was shared. Yukon News, Klondike placer miners freeze out government with engagement pause CBC News North, Yukon placer miner licenses expiring while miners wait for renewals CKRW Radio, Placer miners pause talks with Yukon Government over regulatory delays

May 21, 2025 KPMA Announces Strategic Pause in Engagements with Yukon Government Following Leadership Changes [Dawson City, Yukon] — At its annual Spring meeting on May 16, the Klondike Placer Miners’ Association (KPMA) announced a significant shift in its approach to engagement with the Yukon Government, including a pause in all high-level discussions. This decision follows the territorial government’s long-standing unwillingness to address bureaucratic delays in the issuance of placer mining licenses, including their renewals, and has resulted in the resignation of Brooke Rudolph, a long-time advocate for the industry, whose departure is a significant loss to the association and its members. In her heartfelt resignation speech, Rudolph highlighted critical challenges facing the industry: “permitting, environmental assessment and water licensing delays; polygon expansion; inconsistent inspections; and too many regulatory and policy changes implemented all at once are killing it…For the industry to survive, decisive action [by government] needs to happen, now.” “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing and expecting a different outcome. I am doing something different,” added Rudolph, while expressing her profound commitment to the placer industry. “I have been working in the industry in varying capacities since 2007…Placer mining is something I believe in. It […]

The KPMA Spring Meeting will be held Friday, May 16th, during Gold Show weekend, at the Palace Grand in Dawson City. This year the in-camera portion of the meeting, for members only, will be held from 4pm to 5pm, before the public portion. This will allow us to discuss the challenges we are currently facing, prior to public attendance. The meeting will be open to the public starting at 5pm. If you are a member in good standing, please join us at 4pm in the Palace Grand to discuss industry concerns. Reach out to us at kpma@kpma.ca if you would like to check the status of your membership.

Date: February 28, 2025 Whitehorse, Yukon – The Klondike Placer Miners’ Association (KPMA) is reaching out to the Yukon community to address a growing concern regarding significant delays in the regulatory renewal process for placer miners’ water licenses and mining land use plans (our industry’s permits to operate). These delays pose an immediate threat not only to our local placer mining industry—an essential part of Yukon’s heritage and economy—but also to the broader economic stability of our region at a time when it also faces ongoing global challenges. As Canadians navigate a landscape increasingly affected by international tariffs, which create uncertainty, the stability and relative low risk of family-based placer mining (which does not use chemicals in the process) is important to the Yukon economy and communities. The KPMA recognizes that a strong regulatory framework is vital to maintaining environmental and social standards in mining; however, the current backlog in processing the renewal applications has reached a critical point, leaving many established placer operations vulnerable to the expiration of their licenses, despite having submitting their applications well in advance of the expiry date. In some cases, placer miners are waiting years for decisions. Those applications are bottlenecked at various regulatory […]

Available to KPMA members and those connected with the placer industry in Dawson City. The training is offered at no cost, subsidized through the “Black Hills Legacy Fund” administered by Northern Safety Network Yukon (NSNY). To register call Elly at 867-633-6673 or email her and refer to the code “Black Hills”; OR, call Ella at 867-633-6691. Elly or Ella will assist the individual or the company in setting up a profile and gaining access to the course(s). Registrants will be asked for their name, email address, phone number and their employer’s name (if applicable). Registrants are invited to register for multiple courses and will have up to 45 days to complete each one. A computer is required, if one is not available you can contact NSNY to set you up with one at the NSNY office in Whitehorse. The courses recommended are listed below and in order of priority.  Available now: Courses in development: If a qualifying individual or company is interested in other training offered by NSNY and that training is not listed above, please contact NSNY at 633-6673 and ask for Ella or Elly to discuss options.

Hope to see you on Sunday the 17th at the Gold Rush Inn from 8:30 to 5.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Klondike Placer Miners’ Association 2024 Annual General Meeting September 13, 2024 Dawson City – The Klondike Placer Miners’ Association (KPMA) held its Annual General Meeting last Friday, September 6 at the Palace Grand, resulting in no changes to its Board of Directors. KPMA bylaws prescribe that one half of the directors be elected every other year for a two-year term to maintain continuity among the board. Congratulations to the re-elected board members: Will Fellers, Lisa Favron, Pascal McBurney, Mike McDougall and Harold Schmidt. The Executive positions of Vice President and Secretary / Treasurer were also renewed by Neil Loveless and Lisa Favron, respectively. The day’s proceedings included meetings with Yukon Government, as well as attendance of miners from across the placer industry. The KPMA was established in 1974 to promote and protect the interests of the placer mining industry and acts as a voice for all Yukon’s placer miners. KPMA provides leadership on, and advocates for, responsible and sustainable placer mining with technological and ethical advances to the benefit of all operators, our environment, and enriching the communities we are a part of. For more information please contact: kpma@kpma.ca – 867-667-2267 From left to right: Pascal McBurney, Neil Loveless, […]

The 2024 KPMA BBQ and Dance will be held on Friday August 16th! This year will be extra special as we are also celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the KPMA. Tickets are on sale FRIDAYS in the KPMA Dawson office, located in the Downtown Hotel Annex (beside the Parks Canada building next to the Raven’s Nook). Can’t make it into town on a Friday? We will also have tickets available to purchase at the door. Get ready for great music from Big Leisure, fun in the dunk tank, and a delicious steak dinner with all the fixings. See you on the 16th!

The Klondike Placer Miners’ Association held its Annual General Meeting on Friday, September 1st at the Palace Grand in Dawson City, resulting in no changes to its Board of Directors. Will Fellers’ position as President has been acclaimed for a term of two years. Changes to the KPMA staff include that Lisa Christensen, formerly Office Manager, has accepted the position of Executive Director. Hannah McDougall is maintaining her position as Field Specialist. Brooke Rudolph has stepped down as Executive Director and will be acting as Senior Advisor to the Board, which will support the industry through new mineral legislation and other critical projects that remain ongoing. To read the full press release click here. For more information, contact Lisa Christensen at kpma@kpma.ca or call the office at 867-667-2267.

The 41st KPMA BBQ is BACK! Get ready for a delicious dinner, a silent and live auction, great music and surprises you don’t want to miss! Next Friday August 18th, doors at 5:30, dinner at 6. Tickets available at the Eldorado Hotel.

Dawson, Yukon: On May 28, 2023 Chief Roberta Joseph of the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in (TH) and Will Fellers, President of the Klondike Placer Miners’ Association (KPMA), presented a $7,500 cheque to the Robert Service School (RSS) on behalf TH and the KPMA. The funding is intended to be used for enriching student programs in arts and theatre, wood and metal shop, as well as computer programming at the school. These programs support the needs of RSS students and encourage students to develop in areas that will eventually contribute to the community well-being and to the local economy. The work of RSS staff, along with community funding support, has allowed for the growth of several key programs over the past few years. Since 2018, TH and the KPMA have been proud to jointly contribute over $24,500 to the RSS educational programs. These funds have been used to support: Experiential Education programs, musical instrument building and use, indoor athletic supports, art installations and enriching metal and wood shop programming. It is our hope that these opportunities help to build upon students’ interests and abilities, hopefully leading to successful career paths in Dawson City, or otherwise. This joint funding is provided as part of a […]

 Estimation of the Impact of Placer Mines on the Economy and Labour Market of Dawson City, Yukon  READ THE REPORT HERE In an effort to help demonstrate placer mining’s significant economic benefits to the communities we work in, the KPMA engaged the Yukon Bureau of Statistics to do an impartial review of economic business reports during covid years (2020-2021). We are very proud to share this information, with more detail in the report linked above. In the coming months the Yukon Bureau of Statistics will be conducting a survey with placer miners that will support the results gathered to date. If you have questions about this work please don’t hesitate to ask the KPMA office.

Please click the link to view our recent paper on climate politics vs climate action, as it relates to a report published by the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society on the Indian River wetlands.

Carbon Price Rebate changes proposed YG has introduced new carbon pricing rebate framework for miners to meet new federal requirements. This will be a signifiant change from the current system – YG is hosting an info session for placer miners on what these changes will look like, tonight at 7pm Pacific, on zoom. Time: Oct 18, 2022 07:00 PM Yukon Join Zoom Meetinghttps://us06web.zoom.us/j/84630147910?pwd=UXowYTVlV2tVekhyQTlsd3JSNDVzQT09 Meeting ID: 846 3014 7910Passcode: 211250510 1.855.703.8985 Canada Toll-free You can read Bill No. 21 – Carbon Price Rebate Amendments Act here.

September 6, 2022 Dawson City – The Klondike Placer Miners’ Association (KPMA) held its Annual General Meeting Friday, September 2 at the Palace Grand, resulting in one change to its Board of Directors.  KPMA bylaws prescribe that one half of the directors be elected every other year for a two-year term to maintain continuity among the board. The Association welcomes back Will Fellers, Lisa Favron, Mike McDougall and Pascal McBurney who were acclaimed as Directors. Director, Kyle Bruce, stepped down from his position of Director at Large, and Harold Schmidt was elected by members to fill the role. The KPMA would like to welcome Harold to the Board as a Director, and thank Kyle for volunteering his time to support the Association for the past several years. Will Fellers was reappointed as President, which is a two-year position. In addition to the directors’ elections, the day’s proceedings included meetings with Yukon Government leadership, as well as attendance of miners from across the placer industry. Approximately 65 members attended the meeting. The KPMA would also like to thank Technic Canada for hosting a lovely reception following the meeting. The KPMA was established in 1974 to promote and protect the interests of the placer […]

The 2022 KPMA AGM will be held on Friday, September 2nd at the Palace Grand Theatre in Dawson City, starting at 5pm. As usual, the first portion of the meeting is open to the public, followed by an election of directors by the voting membership. You will be able to renew your membership at the meeting – please arrive early OR email us and we can send you an invoice you can pay online or bring a cheque.

The KPMA is proud to be volunteering with the KVA and City of Dawson to help put on the 2022 International Dawson City Gold Show. GOLD SHOW TRADESHOW:Friday May 20th, 10 – 4Saturday May 21st, 10 – 3

The Klondike Placer Miner’s Association was proud to attend the International Association for Impact Assessment‘s recent conference in Vancouver, BC, May 4th through 7th. Co-authors Justine Knox and Dr. Nicole Wright from EcoFish Research, and KPMA’s Brooke Rudolph, gave a joint presentation titled “KPMA’s Wetland Classification Handbook to Improve Confidence in Impact Assessment“. The presentation was given at a panel on “Online IA processes for sustainable development: Building relationships and collaboration” based on the Wetland Classification Handbook the KPMA and EcoFish Research developed in 2021. The Wetland Classification Handbook (Handbook) is supported by video modules in KPMA 101, an online educational video application, as part of KPMA’s efforts to bring together industry, government, and independent experts to improve placer miners’ confidence in wetland identification. This is a first step working toward broader government and public confidence in proponent-led impact assessment and building greater certainty in impact assessment (IA) processes and decisions on placer operations in the Yukon. In an effort to remain unbiased and transparent, the Wetland Classification Handbook was peer reviewed by experts at the Yukon Government’s Department of Environment, as well as by staff at Ducks Unlimited Canada. The submitted paper created for the IAIA conference and can […]

Last evening the Klondike Placer Miners’ Association officially launched KPMA 101 an industry-led training and compliance education program for its members. For Immediate Release:  May 3, 2022 Whitehorse – The Klondike Placer Miners’ Association (KPMA) kicked off Mining Week by formally launching KPMA 101, an industry-led training and compliance education program for its members.  Built around three core components, KPMA 101 includes app-based training modules, onsite implementation support, and an adaptive management roundtable to ensure concepts are being communicated and implemented.   “We developed the program to meet the unique needs of the placer industry,” enthused Brooke Rudolph, KPMA executive director. “The app is free for all members and their employees, and it was built so modules can be downloaded to phones or tablets when in cell service, watched offline in the field and then reported on when back in service.”  Through KPMA 101, 20 training modules are being developed under the themes Earthworks & Reclamation, Planning & Regulatory, as well as Community & Engagement. Modules are industry-driven and reviewed by external expertise. They marry research, regulation and best practises with practical information to help implement into day-to-day operations. Modules reflect Yukon landscapes and governance, and feature real mines, real miners and real stakeholders.  “Access to the most up-to-date […]

Hello Gold Fans, The full Placer Forum, scheduled for November 21st, is cancelled given the recent surge in Covid cases. We feel it is important to have an in-person option and opportunity to discuss subject material with the experts. Instead, YGS will virtually present the Industry Overview talk at 10 am (MST) on Sunday November 21st. You can use the Zoom link below, or stream it on Facebook Live. The KPMA will also present on the app-based placer mining training program that has been developed. Sydney and Jeff have worked hard to publish another copy of the Yukon Placer Mining Industry Report 2018-2020. Hard copies of the volume are available in the YGS office in the Elijah Smith building and will also be available at the KPMA office in Dawson at the end of next week.  Topic: Yukon Placer Mining Industry Overview and KPMA 101Time: Nov 21, 2021 09:45 AM Mountain Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meetinghttps://us02web.zoom.us/j/83680153693?pwd=a0VYYnNkaE4xR3BQTEVVd0RTNUhYUT09 Meeting ID: 836 8015 3693Passcode: P9XD4vOne tap mobile+19292056099,,83680153693#,,,,*870454# US (New York)+12532158782,,83680153693#,,,,*870454# US (Tacoma) Dial by your location        +1 929 205 6099 US (New York)        +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)        +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)        +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)        +1 346 […]

Dawson City – The Klondike Placer Miners’ Association (KPMA) held its Annual General Meeting September 3rd at the Palace Grand in Dawson City. Included in the AGM business was the election of officers, and one new director was elected to serve the membership. The KPMA would like to welcome new Director Liam Ferguson to the board, and extend our most sincere thanks to retiring Director Mike Heisey for over 12 years of service and contribution to the KPMA. KPMA bylaws prescribe that approximately one half of the directors be elected every other year for a two-year term to maintain continuity among the board. Directors who were acclaimed are Vice President Neil Loveless, and Directors Mark Mather, Mike McDougall, and Stuart Schmidt. The position of President was not contested and Will Fellers continues to serve out the remainder of his term alongside Secretary/Treasurer Lisa Favron, Directors Kyle Bruce and Pascal McBurney. In addition to the directors’ elections, the public portion of the AGM included attendance and remarks from Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in Chief Roberta Joseph Hähkè, Minister John Streicker and other Yukon government leadership, the Dawson Region Planning Commission staff, various elected officials, the Yukon Geological Survey, members of the public, and of course, miners from across the placer field. The KPMA was established in 1974 to promote and protect the […]

The KPMA AGM will be held on Friday, September 3rd at the Palace Grand Theatre in Dawson City, starting at 5pm. As usual, the first portion of the meeting is open to the public, followed by an election of directors by the voting membership. The venue recommends masks are worn until folks are seated. Capacity will be 150 people. You will be able to renew your membership at the meeting – please arrive early OR email us and we can send you an invoice you can pay online or bring a cheque. THIS YEAR IS A LITTLE DIFFERENT. With the Draft Dawson Regional Land Use Plan up for comment, we are trying to make it easy for miners to learn about the draft recommendations and be engaged during this busy time of year. Folks from the Dawson Planning Commission and staff will be at the Palace Grand in the afternoon for an open house prior to the public meeting. Miners, or folks who are interested, are encouraged to come to the Palace Grand before the meeting (starting at 3:00) to learn more about what is being recommended. Pre-AGM Draft Land Use Plan Info SessionPalace Grand Theatre, Dawson City YTFriday September 3, 2021. 3:00-4:45 Knowledge is power! Please […]

It’s here! The new Guidelines to safely self-isolate in a Dawson City hotel are online. The form you need to complete can be found here. Placer miners must submit their operational plan to the Covid Response Unit at COVID19INFO@Yukon.ca for review and approval to be eligible for this alternative self-isolation process. You may not travel to Yukon until you have received this approval and you will be required to provide a copy of this approval when you arrive in Yukon. If you’re having trouble understanding anything in the application, or what you may or may not have to do to come back to work you’re always welcome to email the KPMA, or you can email YG at covid19info@yukon.ca. Small family operations with a residence in camp can self-isolate there as long as they follow the legislated rules. Read the Civil Emergency Measures Act sec. 1.2.a-c (page 2) for the full legal definition. We’re so pleased to support the Dawson hospitality industry in this very challenging time. We appreciate the hard work that the Covid response team at the Yukon Government has put in to make this ASIP happen.

The KPMA encourages ALL Yukoners to provide feedback on the draft strategy. WE STILL NEED YOUR HELP in supporting our comments. This is a numbers game and the deck is staked against us. Have your say! Let the Panel know what you think, and if you support the KPMA’s submission, let them know that too. YMDS RESPONSES GO HERE READ THE COMPLETE KPMA SUBMISSION HERE If you’re lost for words, we have a suggested letter to copy and paste into a word document to be uploaded. It has to be completed Monday Feb 22nd by 4:30pm Yukon Time (which is 3:30 BC time). EVERY VOICE COUNTS. Dear Mineral Development Strategy Panel; I am writing to express my disappointment in the draft Yukon Mineral Development Strategy and Recommendations, which are based on concepts of reconciliation and not the development of mineral resources achieving a robust and healthy mining industry. I believe reconciliation is important and deserves full attention of the Yukon Government but should be looked at holistically, not specific to mining.  I know many miners participated in the engagement process through surveys and comments made through the KPMA’s submissions, and that the KPMA visited people at their mines to make sure their […]

The Public Comment period for the MDS closes at 4:30pm on Monday February 22nd, 2021. Upload a written response or Complete this survey. I encourage you to read the recommendations and submit your responses before its too late. To read the KPMA’s submission, please click here.

After signing a Letter of Understanding in 2019 with Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in, delegates from both the KPMA and TH have been meeting quarterly to discuss issues that bring us together. Last week we joined efforts to present a giant cheque to support some great initiatives at the Robert Service Secondary School in Dawson. The funds will go towards: purchasing camping gear for kids to do overnight retreats (once allowed with Covid restrictions); instrument strings for music classes; an updated bouldering mural; an updated hallway mural; tools and supplies for wood shop; and, an honoraria for metalwork instructors to work with all students (not just kids) in achieving welding education and possibly certification. As co-funders, we are very happy to see “our kids” have access to these resources at the school, as well as for the great teachers to have the ongoing support from TH and the placer industry. Education is a key component to growth and success in life, and we’re proud to be supporting several different aspects of a holistic and well-rounded education, like music, sports, art, getting out on the land, and the trades. We look forward to continuing to build our relationship as community partners that care about where we live and how […]

September 7, 2020 Dawson City – The Klondike Placer Miners’ Association (KPMA) held its Annual General Meeting last week at the Palace Grand, seeing no change to the Directors. KPMA bylaws prescribe that approximately one half of the directors be elected every other year for a two-year term to maintain continuity among the board. Directors who were acclaimed are Kyle Bruce, Lisa Favron Secretary/Treasurer, and Pascal McBurney. The position of Vice President was not contested and Neil Loveless continues to serve out the remainder of his term alongside President Will Fellers, Mike Heisey, Mark Mather, Mike McDougall Past President, and Stuart Schmidt. In addition to the directors’ elections, the day’s proceedings included Board discussions on upcoming challenges facing the industry, meetings with Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in and Yukon government leadership, as well as attendance of some miners from the field. Respecting Covid-19 guidelines, attendance was limited and less than 50 people joined for the meeting. The KPMA was established in 1974 to promote and protect the interests of the placer mining industry and acts as a voice for all Yukon’s placer miners providing leadership on, and advocating for, responsible and sustainable placer mining with technological and ethical advances to the benefit of all operators, our environment, and enriching the […]

The Klondike Placer Miners’ Association is proud to unveil our new merchandise catalogue! Prices include GST. Flannel shirts, safety hoodies, t-shirts and more, we’ve got a great selection of new items we hope you’ll love, as well as some old favourites. Order now to pickup by the end of the season (or earlier). A big thank you to Dawson based Klondike Printing for all your hard work; Martin and Diana, you rock. Contact the KPMA office, kpma@kpma.ca, to place your orders or for any questions.

To our Community; In light of the Covid-19 pandemic, the KPMA will be publishing a portion of weekly membership newsletters on this website to better share some of the information and initiatives we are taking. This posting is not a complete newsletter, please contact the office if you are interested in becoming a member. There have been updates related to Covid-19 (go to Yukon.ca/Covid-19 for all the most recent and accurate information). The biggest update today is the announcement of the Territory’s opening up plan, “A path forward“, as well as an updated Ministerial Order 2020/34 which has some great news for small family operators: “(2) If an individual is not a resident of Yukon, but has spent the last 14 consecutive days within Canada and has a home on a placer mining claim or in a work camp, they may […] go directly to that home and self-isolate for a period of no less than 14 days that begins when they arrive there if  (a) the home is a single residential unit used to house one family, and is the only housing unit at that claim or camp; (b) all of the persons self-isolating in the home are related by blood, spousal relationship, or adoption (“family members”); and (c) the individual […]

To our Community; There have been some updates related to Covid-19 (look at Yukon.ca/Covid-19 for all the most recent and accurate information), of particular note this week the borders are being controlled with more vigilance. This means that miners and employees have to prove they have isolation plans arranged and a job starting at the end of those 14 days. Many of you have already asked us for copies of the documents we’ve prepared to help respond at the border, including the Job Offer and Declaration Prep forms, if you are a member and haven’t reached out please do so and I’ll send you what I have. I’ve been told that folks heading north looking for work will be turned away. I am currently recommending Yuwin.ca as a possible resource for free job postings. Earlier this week the CMOH shared six steps to staying safe: Practise physical distancing – keep two metres or six feet away from everyone who’s not in your household. Wash your hands frequently. Stay home when you’re sick. Don’t gather in groups of 10 or more people. Don’t travel to communities unless it’s essential. Self-isolate when you’re required to – either because you’ve travelled into the territory or because you are a contact of someone diagnosed with or being investigated for COVID-19. I’m happy to share […]

To our Community; In light of the Covid-19 pandemic, the KPMA will be publishing our weekly membership newsletters on this website to better share some of the information and initiatives we are taking. This posting is not a complete newsletter, please contact the office if you are interested in becoming a member. Another week in the north with more snow and cold temperatures and more and more daylight every day. We’re slowly getting closer to sluicing temperatures and more folks are headed to their summer homes on the creeks. There have been some updates related to Covid-19 (look at Yukon.ca/Covid-19 for all the most recent and accurate information), of particular note this week a reminder of current self-isolation requirements. As noted in the updated Notice to Miners, ALL persons travelling to the territory are required to self-isolate for 14 days upon entering the Yukon “in a place other than a mine or camp”. This includes anyone returning to the Yukon by road or air. At your point of entry, every traveller must complete a signed declaration (completed at the border) and review it with an enforcement officer. These declarations state where you will be self-isolating and your travel plans within YT. In anticipation of these questions, the KPMA has created some tools for our membership to use in […]

To our Community; In light of the Covid-19 pandemic, the KPMA will be publishing our weekly membership newsletters on this website to better share some of the information and initiatives we are taking. This posting is not a complete newsletter, please contact the office if you are interested in becoming a member. It was another big week here in the home office of the KPMA. The overarching message is that the health and safety of all Yukoners (seasonal and otherwise) is of the utmost importance. We are incredibly fortunate to be part of an industry that has the ability to operate physically isolated from others. Some might say we have a tendency to be socially distant at the best of times, so that’s in our favour, too. Placer miners can do it all, you are the entrepreneurial Swiss army knives of industry, and some extra planning and coordination on your part at the start of this season can make all the difference not just for your operation but for all Yukoners. We ALL have to take part in following the rules in response to Covid-19. Compliance by all operators is essential to eliminate the spread of the disease through mining […]

April 2 2020 RE:  KPMA Covid-19 Response On behalf of the Klondike Placer Miners’ Association (KPMA), I would like to share some information about how our industry is dealing with Covid-19 pandemic as we start to prepare for the 2020 mining season. The majority of Yukon placer miners live in the Territory, at least seasonally, and have done so for decades if not multiple generations. Of course there are exceptions to this, but MOST miners are Yukoners. I myself am a third-generation placer miner, my sons are fourth generation. Placer mining in the Yukon is fundamental to who I am, who I have become, and is shaping my sons to be the men they are today. For me, placer mining gives me the opportunity to live and work in camp for the summer with my sons, working on the land, being outside, and being respectful to the environment. I follow the rules set in place through permits, legislations and regulations that all operations must follow. When I’m lucky I find enough scratch to pay for us to have a few weeks off in the winter and leave my home in Sunnydale to get some sun. I like to work hard and […]

The KPMA will be presenting in Dawson to the Planning Commission and other stakeholders on December 4th. The public has until December 6th to comment on the Plan www.dawson.planyukon.ca. We encourage you to let your voice be heard!

The election of board of directors at our AGM September 6th resulted in a few changes. Let’s start with a big thank you to retiring President Mike McDougall for all your hard work over your many years as President of the KPMA, we’re grateful you’ve decided to stay on as a Director! And let’s all please welcome incoming President Will Fellers. The meeting also saw the retirement of Dan Caley and the election of Mark Mather to the board, as well as Neil Loveless’ appointment to the role of Vice President for the next year . The 2019-2020 Board of Directors is as follows: Will Fellers – President Neil Loveless – Vice President Lisa Favron – Secretary/Treasurer Mike McDougall – Past President Kyle Bruce – Director Mike Heisey – Director Mark Mather – Director Pascal McBurney – Director Stuart Schmidt – Director

Check out our latest video!

Please check out our latest video “It’s In Our Stories” today”

Discussions around gold royalty rates have been ongoing for much of my near 35 years in the placer mining industry, and are usually motivated by three common factors; ignorance, greed and envy. I will attempt to address the topic accordingly. First of all, Yukon placer mines are not corporate, we are largely family based. Publicly-traded corporations have tried and failed to operate in the Yukon placer field for they cannot reliably maintain the required profit margins. Because of these tight margins we have limited access to conventional financing from banks, and are therefore largely self-financed. Yet the wealth placer mining creates plays a critical role in delivering jobs, growth and prosperity for Yukoners and is new wealth injected directly into our local economy. It is the mining which allows Dawson to have two grocery stores that would never be supported by a small northern community on the local populace alone. It allows First Nation-owned businesses like Air North Cargo or Kluane Freight Lines to serve the community and generate prosperity for their beneficiaries. Do you like having a good selection at the grocery store or being able to get that piece of furniture shipped up? Thank a placer miner, not […]

Dawson – On Monday September 11th, placer miner Stuart Schmidt unearthed an intact skull of the now extinct North American Helmeted Muskoxen, Bootherium bombifrons, a distant relative of today’s tundra muskox. The discovery was made on Canyon Creek, a tributary of Little Blanche Creek in the Indian River valley south of Dawson City. “I just so happened to be running the equipment myself that day, something I don’t often do much anymore, when I noticed a piece of horn sticking out of the gravel,” said Schmidt Mining Corp. President Stuart Schmidt. “I got off the dozer and gave it a pull thinking it was a fragment of bison horn, but it did not budge so I pulled harder with both hands and out came a monster from the past!” The Little Blanche Creek area has produced many fossils over the years, and the permafrost-rich ground that covers much of the gold fields is responsible for the often-pristine preservation of ice-age era fauna that is tens and even hundreds of thousands of years old. Preliminary estimates place the skull at around 25,000 years old and is a very unique species to be found in Yukon. This specimen is also of particular […]

Dawson – Klondike Placer Miners’ Association (KPMA) held a successful Annual General Meeting last week at the YOOP Hall which saw the re-election of board members Dan Caley, Mike Heisey, Neil Loveless, John McConnell and Stuart Schmidt.  KPMA bylaws determine that approximately one half of the directors be elected every other year for a two-year term to maintain continuity among the board.  Mike McDougall was also reaffirmed to continue serving as President. “I am once again honoured that our members have placed their trust in me to lead this illustrious organization,” McDougall said.  “There is much work left to accomplish to ensure the longevity and prosperity of Yukon’s founding industry, and I look forward to continuing with it.” Deputy Chief Babe Titus of the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in First Nation provided welcoming remarks and guests included Energy, Mines and Resources Minister Ranj Pillai, Environment Minister Pauline Frost and officials from Yukon government. A motion updating membership classification and schedule of dues was passed, and matters including permitting challenges in wetland areas and the nomination of Trondek-Klondike for UNESCO World Heritage designation were discussed. “I was particularly intrigued by Minister Pillai’s commitment for his office to act as a direct conduit to UNESCO […]

A carbon tax is coming next year and the Yukon government expects it to add 2.33 cents per litre to the price of gasoline in 2018. This will rise to approximately 11.63 cents per litre in 2022. We strongly encourage all placer miners and Yukoners to take a few minutes to complete the survey which can be found here: https://www.survey.gov.yk.ca/rebate.survey The Yukon government is also seeking public input regarding the pending legalization of cannabis, currently scheduled to be in place as early as next summer. This is a complex social issue that could potentially have real impacts on your workplace. We also encourage you to complete the related survey found at the link below. https://survey.gov.yk.ca/Cannabis-Consultation.Survey

The governments of Canada and Yukon jointly announced $360 Million in road upgrades which would include the Dawson Range. Read more at the link below! http://www.gov.yk.ca/news/17-177.html

http://www.gov.yk.ca/news/17-107.html

http://www.gov.yk.ca/news/17-011.html

Check it out now!