The public gallery at the legislature was full Tuesday afternoon as family, friends and mining industry representatives gathered to hear tributes to two late Yukoners.

Energy, Mines and Resources Minister Brad Cathers paid tribute to John Witham, a former president of the Yukon Chamber of Mines and a secretary of the Yukon Chamber of Commerce.

Witham also worked as a pilot for the mining industry for many years.

"John was a voice for responsible mining and mining exploration,” Cathers told the house.

He regularly participated in public consultation on major issues, said the minister, and often submitted letters on mining and environmental issues to the local papers.

Cathers said he would bring forward a motion based on Witham's words in a 2009 letter: "There are many hundreds of families in the Yukon that depend upon mineral exploration in order to make their mortgage payments, feed themselves, and ensure a proper education and a bright future for their children.”

Jim McFaull, "a titan of Yukon's mining and exploration industry,” was also remembered. He passed away on April 14.

McFaull was a former president of both the Yukon Chamber of Mines and the Yukon Prospectors Association.

"Jim was a unique individual in the true Yukon spirit,” Education Minister Scott Kent said during the tribute. "His legacy to the land goes far beyond the geological.”

The Yukon Party government also made several mining-related motions.

Cathers moved that the government continue to respect the fact that hundreds of families in the Yukon depend on the mining industry to survive and that it continue to support responsible mineral exploration and mining "as key elements of a strong, diversified Yukon economy.”

Currie Dixon, the minister of both the Environment and Economic Development departments, moved that the government continue to work with industry, First Nations and NGOs to "attract investment to Yukon and to encourage the development of responsible economic projects.”

Premier Darrell Pasloski moved that the government "preserve and maintain the free entry system of mineral allocation in Yukon.”

Other motions moved that the government work with the Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Board and the Yukon Water Board improve the territory's assessment and regulatory process and that the government work with partners to ensure the Dredge No. 4 in Dawson City continues to be a major tourist attraction in the Klondike.

Members from all three parties also paid tribute to Yukon Mining and Geology Week, which kicked off Tuesday with a geological tour of the Whitehorse Copper Belt (see other story, this page).

"Mining is Yukon's largest and oldest industry and Yukon Mining and Geology Week is an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the importance of this industry to Yukoners,” said Cathers.

"This year's theme is "Women in Mining”, and special keynote speakers and exhibitions at the exploration discovery camp in Shipyards Park will highlight the past and future importance of women to Yukon's mining industry.”

Liberal House Leader Sandy Silver noted that placer mining has a "special significance” to the Yukon.

"Placer mining isn't just a job; it's a way of life — the family farm of the North,” he said.

Jim Tredger, the NDP critic for Energy, Mines and Resources, spoke of the difficulties balancing mining and environmental protection during his tribute.

"The placer mining community and the hardrock miners have contributed much to the Yukon. They have lived and played in the Yukon. They have built and attended our schools. They have built communities, community halls and recreation facilities,” said Tredger.

"We simultaneously market the Yukon as pristine wilderness and we also promote mining. The question we face is how we ensure these two visions for the Yukon can come together as a reflection of who we are.”

Tredger said mining and other resource extraction activities can be balanced with environmental protection.

"We look forward to working with the industry to ensure a prosperous and environmentally sound future,” he said in closing.