Selkirk First Nation has made Canadian history as the first First Nation to assume ownership and operational control of a mining operation, following the completion of the second phase of purchases from the receiver of the abandoned Minto Mine site.
On June 19, Selkirk First Nation held a technical briefing about the acquisition after the Yukon Supreme Court approved the sale on June 13.
Chief Sharon Nelson and Premier Ranj Pillai recognized the acquisition as a major milestone in Indigenous economic self-determination, as Selkirk First Nation moves from stakeholder to full owner and operator of a major industrial site on its settlement lands, setting a national precedent for Indigenous-led reclamation and development in Canada’s mining sector.
"This is the first time in Canadian history that we've seen a Nation with a very professional team take this leadership role," Pillai said.
“This is about Yukoners coming together to lead a project, to not overstep on environmental assessment, to figure out the right way to come together and to really breathe life into the self-government agreement that forms the relationship between levels of government with Selkirk First Nation.”
The Minto Mine, located within Selkirk First Nation’s traditional territory, was once a copper and gold operation before being abandoned in 2023 by its previous owner, Minto Metals Corp, amid financial and environmental concerns.
Following the closure, the site was managed by a court-appointed receiver. PricewaterhouseCoopers, the receiver, was unable to find a buyer by the summer of 2024 and had planned to sell all of the mine’s assets through an auction process, according to information shared at the technical briefing.
In response, Selkirk First Nation proposed purchasing all mine site assets through block sales, with the goal of preserving the mine’s long-term viability, according to information provided to the News.
Selkirk First Nation completed its historic acquisition in two stages, beginning with the purchase of nearly all infrastructure and rolling stock from Minto Metals on Sept. 10, 2024. The final phase closed on June 18, 2025, with the transfer of the mine’s mineral claims and leases, securing full ownership and setting the stage for the First Nation to determine the site’s future.
“Selkirk now holds full ownership and decision-making authority over the site for the first time in our history and we're quite excited about that,” Nelson said.
“By pursuing a block purchase, Selkirk prevented a piecemeal liquidation that would have made the site too costly to reopen and increased the risk of permanent closure. This moment marks a shift in Selkirk First Nation’s role, from landowner without authority to full owner with the ability to implement our rights under the final agreement in a meaningful way.”
Nelson said at the briefing that Selkirk First Nation’s immediate focus is on launching an 18 to 24 month exploration program, followed by a detailed feasibility study. She said the results will determine whether returning the Minto Mine to production is economically and environmentally viable.
Longer term, Nelson said the First Nation plans to uphold environmental integrity while creating employment and business opportunities for its citizens. With surrounding mineral claims also acquired, Selkirk is exploring the potential for broader development across the region’s copper belt.
“We have also purchased the claims that are within that whole region. So there potentially could be play in regard to a whole copper belt that's within that whole region, including settlement land,” said Kevin McGinty, director of mineral resources for Selkirk First Nation.
Nelson said future decisions will be guided by Selkirk First Nation’s final agreement rights, community values and a commitment to long-term economic sustainability. She emphasized that maintaining high environmental standards will remain a priority, whether the mine returns to production or moves toward responsible closure.
At the briefing, several technical and operational hurdles were addressed, including shared use of facilities during ongoing remediation, complexities around water licence transfers and the need to meet strict environmental standards.
While Pillai said the site has the potential for billions in future mineral production, Selkirk leaders said economic development must be balanced with environmental protection and the creation of sustainable employment opportunities for citizens.
Nelson added that Selkirk is continuing to push for changes to mining legislation, advocating for progressive reclamation practices and challenging conventional models that prioritize investor returns over community benefit.
Contact Jake Howarth at jake.howarth@yukon-news.com
