alaska trip more interesting to see dredging operation or gold mine

Trumpeter swans land on the Chena river near a bridge on Peger Road. Snowmelt feeds the creeks that form a mosaic of muskeg in nearby Tetlin National Wildlife Refuge, a migration corridor for hundreds of bird species. The route follows the Tanana River across the Interior, where spruce-covered foothills knuckle below the stark peaks of the Alaska Range. Kinross Alaska, the majority owner and operator, will haul the rock on the Alaska Highway and other roads to a processing mill just north of Fairbanks. Roughly 250 miles to the southeast, plans are developing to dig an open-pit gold mine called Manh Choh, or “big lake” in Upper Tanana Athabascan. She slows for a patch of ice, explaining that the steep turn is just one of many concerns she has about a looming project that could radically transform Alaskan mining as the state begins looking beyond oil. (Sean McDermott/Grist)Ī dusting of snow clings to the highway as Barbara Schuhmann drives around a hairpin curve near her home in Fairbanks. The tour includes time to explore the gold dredge on foot and shop for souvenirs in the well-appointed gift shop.A portion of the Alaska Highway between Fairbanks and Tok. The effort pays off, though, because every guest gets to keep the gold they discover. Panning is surprisingly difficult, even with the assistance of helpful staff nearby. Attempting to master the swirl and pour technique gives a new appreciation for those early prospectors. During its operation between 19 this machine extracted millions of ounces gold.Īfter arriving back at camp, every guest is given a small sack of pay dirt to try their luck at gold panning.

Along the way, miners demonstrate the use of traditional mining equipment like gold pans and sluice boxes before the train rounds a corner and pulls in front of Gold Dredge #8. After a brief presentation and a fun photo opportunity along the pipeline, the tour turns back the clock from today's black gold to yesterday's elusive mineral gold.Īn entertaining conductor provides historical commentary and live music as the train continues its route through the historic mining area. The train's first stop is the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, an 800-mile oil channel that runs right through the Gold Dredge #8 mining district. This popular historical tour kicks off aboard a replica of the narrow-gauge Tanana Valley Railroad.

Alaska trip more interesting to see dredging operation or gold mine