Governments of Canada and Yukon support initiative to promote mining investment - CanNor and the Government of Yukon collaborate to foster investment in exploration and mining

WHITEHORSE, YT, Nov. 12, 2014 /CNW/ - Office of the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of the Environment, Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor) and Minister for the Arctic Council

Today, on behalf of Minister Aglukkaq, Yukon MP Ryan Leef announced funding to support activities to attract investment for Yukon's junior precious metals exploration and mining sector. CanNor and the Government of Yukon are supporting a two-year initiative coordinated by the Yukon Mining Alliance to promote Yukon as a top mineral investment jurisdiction.

This initiative builds on previous CanNor investments made to assist the Yukon Mining Alliance in attracting capital and communicating Yukon's commitment to its primary industry and the competitive advantages of the territory as a geopolitically safe and geological endowed jurisdiction.

Quick Facts

• CanNor is investing $251,000 over two years to raise Yukon's profile as an excellent mining investment opportunity and to promote Yukon's leading explorers, developers and producers as entrepreneurs committed to sound mining practices. The Government of Yukon will contribute about $75,000 to support this marketing initiative.

• Mining is Yukon's primary private-sector economic driver and makes up more than 20% of the territory's Gross Domestic Product. The most recent increase in mineral exploration that happened in 2011 included discoveries of more than 7.3 million ounces of gold, 50 million ounces of silver and 10 million ounces of platinum group metals.[i]

Quotes

"Our Government is proud to support efforts to promote Yukon's growing mining sector.  Our investments and work with our territorial partners have advanced responsible resource development that is creating good, well-paying jobs and supporting the communities of the North.""

Ryan Leef, Member of Parliament for Yukon

"Raising awareness of opportunities in Yukon's mining sector is essential for attracting investment. The Government of Yukon is proud to support the Yukon Mining Alliance's investment attraction efforts, which fuel continued growth and development in Yukon's mining industry."

Hon. Currie Dixon
Minister of Economic Development and Environment
Government of Yukon

"Yukon Mining Alliance is pleased to partner with the Government of Canada and Government of Yukon on our capital attraction efforts for Yukon and Yukon's leading in explorers, developers and producers. The combined support and marketing efforts by all parties demonstrate, in these challenging markets, the benefit of investing in a geopolitically safe and geological endowed jurisdiction to current and potential investors. These efforts will result in a strong Yukon minerals sector and strong economy for all Yukoners."

John McConnell, Chair
Yukon Mining Alliance

CanNor works to help develop a diversified, sustainable and dynamic economy across Canada's three territories, and delivers on its northern mandate through funding programs, the Northern Projects Management Office and by undertaking policy and research.

Associated Links:

Previous YMA funding
http://www.cannor.gc.ca/eng/1398779660175/1398779745524
http://www.cannor.gc.ca/eng/1384549271917/1384549311921

For more information about CanNor, visit cannor.gc.ca

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[i] Yukon Government Department of Economic Development

SOURCE: Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor)

For further information: Office of the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Ted Laking, 819-997-1441; Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency, Christina Gray, Communications Advisor, 867-766-8435; Yukon Government, Department of Economic Development, Andre Gagne, Communications, P: 867-456-3819, E: [email protected]; Yukon Mining Alliance, Anne Lewis, Executive Director, P: 867-335-1452, E: [email protected]