Asian companies are expressing a solid interest in the Yukon, and not only with known mineral resources, says Economic Development Minister Jim Kenyon.

He recently returned from a week-long jaunt to China, South Korea and Japan. He pronounces himself confident the Yukon will see a $20-million or $30-million investment into Pacifica Resources Ltd. and its Howard's Pass zinc project by the fall.

Kenyon also emphasized China Rail's interest in the proposal to build a railway through the Yukon into Alaska, to link the north with the southern railway infrastructure, and in purchasing the White Pass Yukon Route railway.

'They asked me if I could get information on buying it,' Kenyon said of the White Pass railway.

But White Pass says it's not for sale, and the company has criticized Kenyon for suggesting otherwise. (See story below.)

The minister has now made three trips to China and other Asian companies. The way of doing business there is different than here, he said. Allowing people a chance to get to know you is every bit as important as the product you're selling, he said.

'If you go over there once or twice, they show no interest,' Kenyon said last week after arriving back in the Yukon. 'Once they get to know you, things start happening, and I think that is where we are right now.'

Familiarity aside, Howard's Pass brings a significant asset to the table with what the minister described as a world-class zinc deposit amid a shrinking supply of zinc around the globe.

Of the eight or nine companies he and representatives of Pacifica and its affiliate, Yukon Zinc Corp., met with, Kenyon expects two or three will take the biggest interest.

'So it is in the fall, hopefully, when you will see a $20- or $30-million deal.'

Kenyon said the zinc deposit at Pacifica's Howard's Pass property dwarfs the zinc resource at the Red Dog mine in Alaska, which is currently the world's largest producer of the mineral.

'We could use a Howard's Pass every year,' he said, referring to the world shortage of zinc.

'And we only have Howard's Pass, so if these companies want to get partnered, they are going to have to come to the table.'

He said China Rail is interested in the proposed Yukon-Alaska link, as well as the White Pass railway, as it sees the potential for shipping ore to tidewater, year round.

China Rail, the minister said, is looking at the larger, long-term picture.

He also noted he and the two representatives from Yukon Zinc and Pacifica had a private dinner with the chair of China's environment and resources committee.

He noted the consistent message coming from the Chinese central government is the insistence that any investment by Chinese companies in the Yukon must adhere to all environmental standards and reviews.