Since the fad of everything Alaska being on tv,many people have found the motivation to get up off the couch and give something wild a shot. This in my opinion is a great thing. Its wonderful to see people getting the motivation to go out and fulfill their dreams, no matter where the inspiration comes from.However,the televisions portrayal of mining could lead some to believe its not as hard to find gold as people say it is.Let me assure you, this is a case of “it looks easy” when its absolutely not.Also with clever editing, almost anything can look easy.However,I assure you it is all but.
Suction Dredging
If you are coming from out of state to mine in Alaska and plan on suction dredging, your either going to have to haul a dredge up,or buy 1 here.
What size dredge should I take to Alaska or buy when I get there?
I was told from the start and looking back now, I see it as true. “Bring the biggest dredge you can possibly afford.” I would say overall this is your best bet. The more material you run the better chance you have at making money.
Keep in mind,anything over a 6″ suction dredge in Alaska, will require you to get more permitting and to pay more fees. For this reason most miners will stick with a 6″ or less,to keep the permitting process free and easy.
The Dangers Of Mining Locations
Most if not all of the mining locations left are in hard to reach areas of Alaska. Everything that was easy to get too, or decent paying, was taken quickly.Now, those who want to continue to be profitable are being driven deeper and deeper into the woods/swamp. With over regulation,salmon streams,access issues and government land grabs,there is only a small portion of Alaska that is legally mineable,(Except by pan.) So figure on going deep in the woods/swamp.
Central and Northern Alaska, is a SWAMP. Not a forest like you might see in Oregon or Washington. Central/Northern Alaska is very very wet in the summer, due to all the melting ice,snow,rain,melting glaciers and permafrost. I was blown away to find the state a swamp. I always pictured Alaska, full of huge trees and jagged mountains. This was not the case. There were plenty of jagged mountains alright but in the areas Ive mined,you literally have to bring in your own fire wood. There are very few trees and the trees that are around, are very skinny.
A swap is one of, if not, the hardest type of terrain to travel over. Quads get stuck,4×4 vehicles are to heavy, or the trails are to small. Either way, STUCK STUCK STUCK. Dont even try to go deep without at least 1 winch. I suggest 2 winches. 1 on the front and 1 on the back of any trail vehicle.
Strip Miners
Although we have not run an operation of this size and style ourselves,most of the land we mine is owned and operated by larger mining companies. So we had time to see clean-outs,see machinery and setups including washplants,excavators,dozers,pumps,sluice boxes and more. We also been luck enough to hear many of the mining stories of history. Honestly and for the most part,this type of mining seems to be the most realistic way to make money mining in Alaska.However the upfront expense is quite substantial (as well as the possible losses,) and it would be wise to have all your paperwork in order with the state or BLM (which could by itself take a season to be approved.) Make sure you have an approved area to mine before coming, as well as a pre discussed percentage worked out with the land owner. Get EVERYTHING in writing before you move any dirt! The percentages these days run from 10-20% of the total gold intake, before you pay anything out to anyone else. If you show up with equipment and no place to mine,your gonna loose half your summer looking for a place and loose a lot of time and money. The mining season in Alaska is about 4 months long and you need every minute! Also,trying to get claims on short notice will most likely result in lack of information on the property,on your part, as well as lack of gold. If you can rush in a get that spot,so can others. Chances are they have too.
Staking a claim
These days it is quite hard to find an area that you can both access and also has good(profitable)gold on it. Almost all the claims with a decent road to them are claimed up and have been and will be for years. So if you plan on staking a claim of your own,figure on doing it where no gold has been recorded. I myself have spent a fair bit of time looking for that new mother lode. I have yet to find a spot profitable to mine (suction dredge) let alone, a place worth staking. If you are planning to stake your own claim,be prepared to spend at least a full season scouting for a reasonable location and near that long getting set up and all the paper work turned in and approved.(if you are only looking to suction dredge with a dredge 6″ or smaller, the time to set up and get the paperwork approved will take much less time.)
The cost and time of everything.
Everything in Alaska cost way more and takes 10x as long to get done.Most places may carry what you want but when you go there, they are out. This is the story of Alaska. High shipping costs results in the stocking of items that sell best. So if you are looking for an item that doesn’t sell a lot,good luck. It can be found but may have to be ordered from the lower 48 like everything else. If you want mining gear, there are very few locations to really get the good stuff and they are very far apart from each other. (pls see mining retailers in the forums here.) Most all the major cities in Alaska are also very far from each other. So to go anywhere usually cost a lot in gas as its usually quite the distance. Bring light items with you if possible.Like pump seals for instance. You dont wanna have to travel 200 miles, 40 of which is on a tiny mud covered trail not fit for most,just to get a $5 pump seal or gasket. Sometimes this stuff happens,just try to cut down on it as much as possible.
Keep in mind, most non state designated trails are harsh!
The last prospecting trip we went on,the trail was so bad,one member of our group rolled his quad 3x, just on the way in. Luckily he didn’t get injured,which leads me to our next topic.
SAFETY “Push a button and save my life please!”
Alaska offers a satellite connected “my life is in danger device, with a red emergency button.” You can wear this devise and if you get in trouble out in the bush, you can push the button and a chopper will come and help you.
However!! If you are not dying or not going to shortly,you might not want to push the button. Fines will be VERY steep if they fly out and find you have an ingrown toenail that hurts. Don’t push it unless there is no other option!! Alaska also offers for sale or rent, satellite phones. These are extremely expensive to rent and super expensive to operate. So only use them in an emergency.