EA and Permitting

Environmental and socio-economic assessment and permitting process

The Yukon Government’s Department of Energy, Mines and Resources and Department of Environment manage the environmental aspects of mining in the territory. At the federal level, Environment Canada and Fisheries and Oceans Canada also review project proposals and assessments, and regulate mining activities. Federal review of the Project by Environment Canada and Fisheries and Oceans Canada will be integrated into the territorial environmental review processes.

Companies applying for major mine permits in Yukon follow a two-phase process:

Phase 1

Companies submit their project proposals to the Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Board (YESAB) Executive Committee to initiate the environmental assessment process under the Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Act (YESAA).

Phase 2

Once a project is approved through YESAB, project proponents submit applications to:

• the Yukon Water Board for a Type A Water Licence
• the Yukon Government for a Quartz Mining Licence (from the Department of Energy, Mines and Resources).

The Howard’s Pass Access Road

The majority of the proposed Selwyn Project is located in Yukon. However, the road that connects the property to Yukon Highway 10, the Howard’s Pass Access Road (HPAR), runs across the border with the Northwest Territories (NWT). HPAR reconstruction is already underway, including the installation of eight bridges, to support development of the Project. Selwyn Chihong also requires regulatory approval from the NWT’s Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board to widen the road to make it suitable for the safe and efficient haul of mine concentrates.