Learn about the Independent Review Board recommendations

After the Eagle Gold heap leach failure, an in-depth independent review was launched an independent review to find the cause of the failure and identify what could have prevented it.

 An Independent Review Board (IRB) of mining experts examined the failure and produced a report with 56 recommendations. These recommendations will: 

• reduce the risk of similar failures; and 
• strengthen mining practices and oversight. 

When fully implemented, they will improve practices and lead to a stronger, more resilient mining industry in the Yukon. 

What we’re doing 

We’ve committed to implementing all 56 recommendations made by the IRB. 

We’re updating our regulatory and enforcement practices and our technical guidelines to meet the recommendations and ensure best practices. 

Of the 56 recommendations: 

• 23 are implemented 
• 6 are in progress 
• 27 are expected to be completed by Spring 2027 

We’ll include many of the recommendations in the Yukon’s Guidelines for Mine Waste Management Facilities. Some recommendations are already in use but will not be viewed as complete until we update the guidelines. 

Some recommendations are for mining companies to strengthen their project, corporate governance and performance monitoring. We’re incorporating these into our regulations and policies to make sure mines are implementing them. 

Completed 

We’ve implemented as many of the recommendations as possible in the short-term including the following: 

• Creating a Major Mines and Technical Service branch to increase regulatory oversight for major mines 
• Increasing staff capacity for compliance and inspection services 
• Delivering classroom and on-site training for enforcement staff to identify potential risks early 
• Completing a legislative review to confirm legislative changes are not needed to implement recommendations 
• Retaining experts to expand our technical expertise for regulatory and compliance monitoring and enforcement practices 
• Launching a review of compliance and enforcement programs to identify additional measures that may be needed to address recommendations 
• Ensuring new and existing projects meet the IRB recommendations 

In progress 

We’re working to have most of the recommendations in place by spring 2027. This work includes: 

• updating the Guidelines for Mine Waste Management Facilities to address 38 of the 56 recommendations; 
• establishing an independent panel of experts to review and update the guidelines; 
• improving coordination between regulatory and enforcement bodies to improve project oversight; 
• Strengthening our licensing criteria; • updating new and existing licenses meet IRB safety standards; 
• working with industry groups and mine operators to support implementation and ensure compliance; and 
• developing ongoing training for enforcement staff.