Like everywhere else around the world, 2020 was underscored in Yukon by the sudden spread of the COVID-19 virus and the drastic social and economic changes it precipitated. For Yukon Geological Survey (YGS), this meant a hasty retreat from offices in March, a reduced and modified field season, disruption of our client services, and uncertainties about the duration of the “new normal” and the impact it might have on Yukon’s communities and minerals sector in the long term.
Relative to most regions of Canada, Yukon has fared relatively well and by June, the minerals sector was focused on how they could undertake exploration rather than how they might recover from a cancelled field season. Similarly, YGS managed to complete most of its planned field activities (albeit with a reduced scope), and to administer an expanded Yukon Mineral Exploration Program.