Expenditures on mineral exploration in the Yukon this year could hit $200 million, says the executive director of the Yukon Chamber of Mines.

Mike Wark said if last week's attendance at Toronto's international mining conference is any indication, it's going to be another bustling year for the industry.

A record 27,000-plus delegates attended the annual conference of the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada. That was up more than 5,000 from last year, which was also a record, Wark said.

"It is an indication the exploration sector is healthy not just here in the Yukon but in other jurisdictions as well,” he said.

With the large number of quartz minerals claims staked in the territory last year – 83,261 compared to 16,000 in 2009 – Wark said, he expects companies will be looking to be on the ground working their claims.

"I understand there are some companies that have already commenced or are about to commence drilling programs.”

Companies with claims, he explained, either have to be in the field doing exploration work to offset the need to pay annual fees of $100 per claim, or pay the fees.

Wark's prediction of brisk spending on exploration reflects every indication coming out of both the Yukon Geoscience Forum last November and the Mineral Exploration Roundup in January in Vancouver.

The buzz at November's geoscience forum suggested exploration this year could equal or top the $150 million spent in 2010.

The level of staking activity, Wark expects, will also continue to be strong, but whether it maintains the record pace of last year is hard to say.

Sean and Kathy Ryan and their Ryanwood Exploration company of Dawson City were again honoured in Toronto last week as the association's prospectors of the year.

Field work conducted by Ryanwood Exploration in recent years is believed to be a driving force in kicking off the Yukon's modern-day gold rush.

The Yukon Prospectors Association bestowed the same honour on the couple in 2009, and the B.C. exploration industry followed suit at last year's roundup.

Also recognized last week at the Prospectors and Developers conference was Whitehorse resident Jerry Asp, a member of the Tahltan Nation of northwestern B.C.

Asp was presented with the aboriginal achievement award for his contributions to the mineral industry.

Asp has worked in exploration, and as an underground miner, and was one of the founding members of the Tahltan Nation Development Corp.