Mining investments herald 'a new day' for Yukon economy: analyst - Action News
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Mining investments herald 'a new day' for Yukon economy: analyst

'It's a new day from the standpoint of exploration. It's healthy,' says John Ing, chief executive officer of Maison Placements Canada Inc., an investment office in Toronto.

John Ing says major mining companies with money to invest are looking to replenish their mineral reserves

ATAC's Osiris Project on the Rackla Gold property. (ATAC Resources Ltd)

A mining analyst says money pouring into Yukonmineral exploration projects bodes well for the territory's economy.

"It's a new day from the standpoint of exploration. It's healthy," said John Ing, chief executive officer ofMaisonPlacements Canada Inc., an investment office in Toronto.

John Ing of Maison Placements Canada Inc. says endorsements from Barrick and other major mining companies are very positive. (Submitted by John Ing)

Barrick Gold announced earlier this week that it wants to initially invest more than $8 million in ATAC Resources's Orion project, 55 kilometres east of Keno City. The multi-phased deal could reach a total investment ofmore than $63 million for exploration.

That follows recent announcements from GoldcorpInc., NewmontMining and AgnicoEagle Minesabout plans to invest in the territory.

Ing says major mining companies have reduced their costsand now have money to invest. He said they're also looking to replenish their reserves.

"With free cash flow, they are now looking at exploration or partnerships with other companies who have found gold or discovered deposits," Ing explained.

"They're trying to accelerate the program because after all, exploration is the life blood for the mining industry when their product declines with every year they produce."

The deal between Barrick and ATAC closes May 3.

Recent investment in the territory is a positive sign for the territory, says Samson Hartland, executive director of the Yukon Chamber of Mines. (Paul Tukker/CBC)

A sign of what's to come

Samson Hartland, executive director of the Yukon Chamber of Mines,says it's too soon toknow what might come of Barrick's investment in ATAC, since the latter is a junior mining company in the early stages of exploration of its Rackla property.

But he says it and the other investments are a positive development.

"We're going to see an increase on the side of labour needs when it comes to a number of these projects coming into fruition."

He says he isn't surprised that some of the biggest mining companies in the world are taking an interest in the territory.

"It's just a sign of what's to come now that the markets are in a healthy position."

Earlier investment from Newmont, Goldcorp

The Barricknews follows the March announcement from US-based Newmont,the world's second largest gold producer, that it has an interestin buying Goldstrike Resources, east of Mayo. Goldstrike said it had commitments from Newmont worth more than $14 million over two years.

Also in March, mining giant Goldcorp bought almost 20 per cent of the shares of Triumph Gold, a gold property west of Carmacks. Last summer, it also spent more than $500 million to acquire Kaminak's Coffee Creek gold propertysouth of Dawson City.

In December, AgnicoEagle bought a stake in the White Gold Corporation, for $14.52 million.