Ketza River Mine Remediation Project
Learn about the work underway to maintain and remediate the Ketza River Mine site.
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History of Ketza River Mine
The Ketza River Mine is an abandoned gold and silver mine of approximately 200 hectares in size located 50 km south of Ross River, Yukon, within the asserted traditional territory of the Kaska First Nations and Traditional Territory of the Teslin Tlingit Council. Water from the site flows into Cache Creek, the Ketza River and eventually the Pelly River.
The mine was built beside a mountain known as Dena Nezziddi which is sacred to the Kaska people. First Nations people have used the land since time immemorial for seasonal travel, subsistence activities and the harvesting of traditional medicine. The Ketza area remains an important harvesting location for gopher, sheep, fish, moose and berries.
Following the discovery of gold in the area in 1954, exploration activities were carried out from 1955 to 1968 and again from 1983 to 1990. The Ketza River Mine was constructed by Canamax Resources Inc. in 1987, and a mill operated from 1988 until November 1990. During the 2 years of operation, the mine produced 3.1 million grams of gold and 342,000 tonnes of tailings.
Arsenic is the main contaminant of concern at the site and within the water and tailings in the tailings storage facility. Other potential contaminants of concern include copper, lead, antimony, nickel, zinc and hydrocarbons.
Following the short 2-year period of gold production, intermittent exploration activities took place at the Ketza River Mine site from 1990 to 2011, and between 2012 and 2015 the site fell into interim care and maintenance by the owner. The mine was officially declared abandoned after the owner filed for bankruptcy in 2015. The former mine site is currently in a state of care and maintenance until a remediation plan is developed, approved and all regulatory requirements are in place to proceed with active remediation of the site.
Responsible parties
The abandoned Ketza River Mine is designated as a Type roman numeral 2 Site under the Yukon Northern Affairs Program Devolution Transfer Agreement (Devolution Transfer Agreement) which came into effect on April 1, 2003. Under this agreement, the Government of Canada is responsible for pre-2003 environmental liabilities and associated costs of remediation for abandoned Type roman numeral 2 mine sites, and for working with the Government of Yukon and Affected First Nations to address the site.
After the mine was officially declared abandoned in 2015, land ownership, care and control of the site was transferred to the Government of Yukon. The Government of Canada is responsible for funding the project (direct to First Nations, and reimbursable costs to the Government of Yukon). Eligible costs though the Northern Abandoned Mine Reclamation Program (NAMRP) include: care and maintenance, consultation, and engagement with Affected First Nations, as well as costs for remediation planning and construction.
The Affected First Nations participating in the remediation of the Ketza Mine now include:
- Ross River Dena Council
- Liard First Nation
- Teslin Tlingit Council
The governments of Canada, Yukon and participating First Nations have established the Ketza River Working Group, who meet regularly to discuss technical aspects of site operations, site conditions and ongoing geotechnical and water quality monitoring.
In 2017, the governments of Canada and Yukon signed a Memorandum of Understanding setting out responsibilities of the parties with respect to remediation of the Ketza River Mine site in accordance with the Devolution Transfer Agreement, and to advance remediation planning for the site in consultation with participating First Nations.
In 2021, to approach remediation collaboratively, a draft Governance Agreement and draft Consultation Approach were presented to participating First Nations. Future governance of the remediation project is currently being discussed by the governments of Canada, Yukon and participating First Nations. Once finalized, these documents will guide interactions between these parties during the development and implementation of the remediation plan.
Ketza River Mine remediation activities
The Ketza River Mine site is in a state of care and maintenance. This work is currently led by the Government of Yukon and includes site security, monitoring, maintenance of site infrastructure, and treatment of contaminated water from the tailings storage facility to remove suspended solids, arsenic, and other metals prior to discharging treated water into Cache Creek.
Remediation plan
The main environmental liabilities on site are the tailings storage facility and associated dams and contaminated water, underground and mill infrastructure, and several small open pits and associated waste rock dumps.
A remediation plan to address these and other liabilities, and to collaboratively address site closure goals and objectives will be developed and implemented in the future.
Progress to date
- 2026:
- Ketza River Working Group (KRWG) meets regularly, including participation from Ross River Dena Council, Teslin Tlingit Council, Liard First Nation, Yukon and Canada technical representatives
- Ongoing site Care and Maintenance including site operation, water treatment, environmental and geotechnical inspections and monitoring
- 2025:
- Dam Safety Reviews (DSR) were completed for both dams on site
- A new contract for Care and Maintenance was tendered by Yukon, and will be awarded in early 2026
- 2024:
- Bridge 1 and 2 reconstruction was completed.
- 2023:
- An Adaptive Management Plan (AMP) for site Care and Maintenance was developed
- 2022:
- Structural assessment of Mill building was completed.
- Bridges 1, 2 and 3 replacements were designed
- Operations Maintenance and Surveillance Plan and Emergency Response Plans were updated
- 2021:
- To approach remediation collaboratively, a draft Governance Agreement and a draft Consultation Approach were presented to participating First Nations
- The governments of Canada, Yukon and participating First Nations established the Ketza River Working Group that continues to meet regularly to discuss various aspects of the remediation project
- 2017:
- A Memorandum of Understanding was signed by the governments of Canada and Yukon setting out remediation project responsibilities and to support collaborative remediation planning
- 2015:
- The Ketza River Mine was officially declared abandoned after the owner declared bankruptcy
- Responsibility for ongoing care and maintenance of the site was transferred to the Government of Yukon, with costs of the project to be reimbursed by the Government of Canada
- 2003:
- The Yukon Northern Affairs Program Devolution Transfer Agreement took effect on April 1, 2003, and designated the Ketza River Mine a Type roman numeral 2 abandoned mine site
- 1990:
- The Ketza River Mine ceased operations after producing 3.1 million grams of gold, and leaving behind 342,000 tonnes of tailings
- 1988:
- The mine's mill became operational
- 1987:
- The Ketza River Mine was constructed
- 1955-1990:
- Mining exploration activities were carried out in the area
- 1954:
- Gold was discovered in the area
- Pre-1954:
- First Nations people have used the land near the mountain known as Dena Nezziddi since time immemorial for seasonal travel, subsistence activities and the harvesting of traditional medicine
Next steps
The governments of Canada, Yukon and participating First Nations will continue working to finalize details relating to remediation project consultations, project governance and procurement.
The parties will then procure a professional team to complete additional assessment and assist with the development of the remediation plan. Regulatory approvals will then be sought to allow for active remediation to begin.
Care, maintenance, and monitoring activities will be required up to the start of active remediation plan implementation.
Remediation of the site is currently anticipated to require approximately 3 years to complete, and will be followed by long-term monitoring of the site.
Contracting and jobs
Contracts for care and maintenance and monitoring of the Ketza River Mine site are advertised and tendered through the Government of Yukon Bid Opportunities Website.
Contact us
Ketza River Mine Reclamation Project
415C-300 Main Street
Whitehorse, Yukon
Y1A 2B5
1-800-661-0451
Email: YTcontaminatedsites-sitescontaminesYT@rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca