Published 4:00 pm Wednesday, June 10, 2026
By Noah Korver, Local Journalism Initiative
A Yukon mine site will soon be running in part on the power of the sun after the Yukon government announced a new project to install two solar arrays and a battery storage facility at the Coffee Gold Project south of Dawson.
According to a press release published by the Yukon government on June 3, the project will be undertaken in partnership with the White River First Nation’s development corporation Copper Niisüü Limited Partnership.
Copper Niisüü will operate the arrays while renting them out to Coffee Gold project owner Fuerte Metals, with the Yukon government providing funding for development through its Yukon Good Energy Program.
Kate Erwin is a spokesperson for the Yukon Department of Energy Mines and Resources, and says the equipment is being manufactured by Yukon-based company Solvest Inc.
“Solvest plans to incorporate local training and employment opportunities into project construction, operation and maintenance to further the socioeconomic benefits of this project,” Erwin said.
Combined, the systems will produce over 1,000 kilowatts of electricity; enough to offset the use of diesel generators.
Erwin said the reduction in reliance on diesel power is expected to save an estimated 580,000 litres of fuel, equivalent to 1,597 tonnes of carbon dioxide a year.
Contact Noah Korver at noah.korver@yukon-news.com

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