The Yukon government will contribute $300,000 for resource road improvement projects annually over the next three years.

The funding agreement addresses the Klondike Placer Miners’ Association’s (KPMA’s) desire for certainty to plan and execute access to resources, the government said in a statement today.

The funding is being provided through the government’s existing resource access road program.

Run through the Department of Highways and Public Works’ transportation engineering branch, the program funds resource road upgrades through an application-based process.

The government funds the resource access roads program to help meet the long-term needs of the Yukon’s industry.

“The Klondike Placer Miners’ Association is very grateful for the Yukon government’s strategic support of the placer industry, so that together we may continue to provide responsible employment opportunities for Yukon families and important economic activities in their home communities,” said KPMA president Mike McDougall.

“This three-year agreement will offer stability and allow us to keep our roads safe for miners, suppliers and other Klondike-area road users.”

In 2008-09, the government established the resource access road program to fund improvements to resource roads.

Resource roads in the Dawson City area have been improved in every year of the program.

Funding for the resource access roads program will be approximately $500,000 in 2017-18.

“Government of Yukon will support local industry and develop stronger relationships with resource providers in our territory,” said Highways and Public Works Minister Richard Mostyn.

“This agreement with the placer industry and our continued support of the resource access road upgrade program are a testament to that.”