The Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race recently announced that Minto Explorations will be the official Yukon Volunteer Program partner for this year's event.

The announcement came just in time for last Saturday's Volunteer Appreciation Day.

That was also the first day of signups for mushers competing in the 2011 Yukon Quest.

"Minto Explorations is showing their support for the communities and Yukoners who help us deliver this great race for mushers, fans, visitors and Yukoners,” said Georgina Leslie, executive director of the Yukon Quest International Association (Canada).

Stephen Quin, president of Minto Explorations and Capstone, said it is important to invest back into the communities in which his company works.

As a subsidiary of Capstone Mining Corp. of Vancouver, Minto Explorations owns and operates the Minto copper-gold mine near Pelly Crossing.

The Minto Mine is a high-grade copper-gold mine that has been in operation in the Yukon since 2007. It is located 240 kilometres north of Whitehorse and employs more than 120 Yukoners.

The 2011 Yukon Quest starts Feb. 5 in Whitehorse.