Компания Strategic Metals предлагает построить угольную электростанцию в Юконе для решения энергетического кризиса

Mining firm frames coal‑plant pitch as its answer to the Yukon’s energy needs Published 4:15 pm Monday, August 24, 2026 Strategic Metals is pitching a coal‑fired power plant in the Yukon as a potential medium‑term answer to the territory’s growing electricity demand, arguing the territory faces tightening energy demand that current options cannot solve. The Vancouver‑based mining company says its concept study suggests coal from Division Mountain could supply local power and cut reliance on imported diesel and LNG. It’s pitching the idea as a starting point for public discussion rather than a finished plan. Strategic Metals CEO Douglas Eaton told the News the company commissioned a scoping study for a 100‑megawatt coal‑fired plant on the view that the Yukon’s winter grid constraints and rising demand require generation that, in his view, solar, wind and new large hydro are unlikely to provide in the near term. He described the project as a medium‑term option for roughly the next few decades. “We think it makes great sense for the territory, but we need to get into a meaningful dialog with a lot of different groups to determine whether or not it’s a realistic possibility for Yukon,” Eaton said. Coal‑fired electricity has been steadily declining across Canada as provinces replace older plants with lower‑emission natural gas and non‑emitting sources. The Canada Energy Regulator reports national coal generation fell by roughly two‑thirds between 2005 and 2021 as jurisdictions moved toward cleaner grids. Eaton said the Division Mountain coal deposit near Braeburn contains more than 50 million tonnes of measured resource, arguing it is enough to supply a 100‑megawatt facility for roughly a century. He said the territory should evaluate the resource as a local alternative to diesel and LNG, which he argued drives up costs and sends capital outside of the Yukon. “Nuclear long term might be the solution, but the problem right now is the demand in the Yukon. The capital cost on small modular reactors is worse than it is for a hydro dam. We’re looking up to somewhere between five and seven billion to build 300 megawatts,” Eaton said. The company’s concept study envisions a coal plant using modern scrubbing systems, technology that produces electricity and heat together, and, potentially, carbon capture and storage. Eaton said combining that system with carbon capture could reduce the plant’s emissions, arguing that a modern coal facility would look very different from “dirty coal” operations. Another argument the company has put forward is that the plant could produce fly ash for use in cement and concrete. Eaton said cement used in the Yukon is brought in from outside and costs about twice as much as in the south, and he argued a local supply of fly ash could support construction and help bring costs down. Strategic Metals is currently preparing new drilling at Division Mountain to firm up geotechnical data, assess coal and ash behaviour, and confirm whether surrounding rock poses any acid‑generation risks. Eaton said the work is meant to support future permitting and give regulators a clearer technical picture of the proposal. A proposal submitted to the Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Board on Aug. 13 seeks approval for four drill holes from two sites. Eaton said the company plans to update environmental and heritage data which he said began in the 1990s. Eaton said the company has begun introducing the project to Champagne and Aishihik First Nations, Little Salmon/Carmacks First Nation, Kwanlin Dün First Nation and the Ta’an Kwäch’än Council. He said Strategic Metals hopes to explore partnership models for the project, using its new Yukon Energy Solutions subsidiary as one possible vehicle, ranging from joint ventures to a First Nation‑controlled corporation or joint venture. Strategic Metals has made repeated attempts to engage with Yukon Energy and the Yukon government, Eaton said. He added Yukon Energy sent a representative to a recent public meeting after the concept study was released. Eaton said the company is asking for feedback now, rather than waiting until a full permit application is filed. The proposal comes as the federal government maintains its commitment to phase out coal‑fired electricity generation without emissions‑capture technology by 2030, according to the Canada Energy Regulator. Contact Jake Howarth at [email protected]