Former Minto Metals Corp. employees may now be able to recover eligible wages through the federal government’s Wage Earner Protection Program.

They should contact PricewaterhouseCoopers at camintoreceivership@pwc.com and visit the https://Canada.ca webpage for the Wage Earner Protection Program as soon as possible, the Yukon government said Thursday.

The deadline to apply for the program is on or around Sept. 18.

The complaint process at the territorial Employment Standards Office complements the Wage Earner Protection Program.

Employees who believe they’re owed wages must file a complaint with the Employment Standards Office by Nov. 10, 2023.

They can contact eso@yukon.ca or (867) 667-5944 for more information about how to file a complaint.

In mid-May, Minto suddenly closed its copper-gold mine near Pelly Crossing, and the entire corporate board resigned. The company faces a number of leins and lawsuits for monies owed to other businesses.

Some workers, given no notice about the company’s decision, were left in Whitehorse with no paid way back to their home provinces.

“The closure of the Minto mine has affected Yukoners and others across the country,” the government said in a statement.

“The Government of Yukon and the Yukon Employment Standards Office want to help ensure that former Minto employees are aware of the supports available to them.”

PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) was officially appointed as the receiver for Minto Metals Corp. on July 24, by the Supreme Court of British Columbia.

Under section 21 of the Wage Earner Protection Program Act, PricewaterhouseCoopers, as the receiver, is required to contact former employees to inform them if they are owed wages.

They have begun collecting payroll records to identify individuals who are owed eligible wages under the act.