Placer mining in the Yukon remains a strong and innovative industry, and has the potential for a modern record-high reporting this season. The number of active operations is similar to previous years and 147 of them reported sluicing activity. Of the active operations, 72% are in the Dawson area, 20% are in central Yukon (South McQuesten, Mayo, Keno, Canadian, Big and Nansen) and 8% are in southern Yukon (Kluane, Livingstone, Whitehorse South, Nisutlin). For the sixth consecutive year, reported placer gold production exceeds 70,000 crude ounces. Crude ounces represent an unrefined measure. Placer gold can contain inclusions of quartz or other matrix material or impurities such as silver and copper. These impurities, on average, account for 20% of the mass.
