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Seldovia quadrangle

Descriptions of the mineral occurrences shown on the accompanying figure follow.

See U.S. Geological Survey (1996) for a description of the information content of each field

in the records. The data presented here are maintained as part of a statewide database

on mines, prospects and mineral occurrences throughout Alaska.

153" 15(^;,,

59"

s i i - - . } <! 

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153" 150"

Distribution of mineral occurrences in the Seldovia

1:250, 000-scale quadrangle, southcentral Alaska

This and related reports are accessible through the USGS World Wide Web site

http://ardf.wr.usgs.gov. Comments or information regarding corrections or missing 

data, or requests for digital retrievals should be directed to: Donald Grybeck, USGS, 4200

University Dr., Anchorage, AK 99508-4667, e-mail dgrybeck@usgs.gov, telephone (907)

786-7424. This compilation is authored by:

Alaska

JeffHuber *? \

Anchorage, Alaska ' ^f/^*^^

Location of map ana in Aluka

^^NTO?^

/o^fS^ -^ This report is preliminary and has not been reviewed for conformity with U.S. Geologi-

, : |||^Btoj^ - cat Survey editorial standards or with the North American Stratigraphic code. Any use

\ 3 iilf^K- 'Iv of trade, product, or firm names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply

\-. *r ifX-/ endorsement by the U.S. Government.

OPEN-FILE REPORT 99-391
Alaska Resource Data File SV001

Site name(s): Alaska Hills Corp.; Paystreak & Fairweathers

Site type: Mine 

ARDFno.: SV001

Latitude: 59.575

Longitude: 150.638

Quadrangle: SVC-2

Location description and accuracy:

The Alaska Hills mine consists of four tunnels, an old mill and a campsite located on 

the east side of Nuka River Valley and about one and a half miles northeast of the mouth 

of Beauty Bay. Beauty Bay is a northwest trending fjord within the West Arm of Nuka 

Bay; it is about 60 miles southwest of Seward, Alaska. The lower tunnel is at 370 feet 

elevation and intersects the vein 460 feet from the portal. The upper most tunnel is at 569 

feet elevation. This is Cobb's (1972, MF-397) location 20 and Richter's (1970) location 3. 

Cobb (1972, OFR 80-84) summarized the relevant references under the name Alaska Hill 

(Mines Corp.).

Commodities: 

Main: Au 

Other: Ag

Ore minerals: Arsenopyrite, gold, pyrite 

Gangue minerals: Quartz

Geologic description:

Graywacke and slate of the Cretaceous Valdez Group host the mineralized quartz veins 

(Richter, 1970). Mining has occurred on two quartz veins which are mostly in the graywacke. The veins are white crystalline quartz which carry considerable arsenopyrite and 

free gold. The principal vein ranges from 6 to 30 inches wide, strikes east-west and dips 

55N. The other vein that has been mined averages 11 inches wide; it has a general eastwest strike and northerly dip. The veins occur mostly in the graywacke and pinch out 

when they cross into slate ( Richter, 1970). The mine consists of four tunnels and other 

workings that total about 950 feet, excluding stopes and raises. Improvements on the site 

included a 1,000 foot aerial tram, a 10-ton jaw crusher, a Worthington Ball Mill with 

amalgamator, and a Diester sand table. Power was provided by a 66 inch Pelton wheel 

with 94 feet of head. In normal milling operations, the concentrates assayed $107 to $112 

per ton gold (Pilgrim, 1933). Pilgrim, (1933) reported production of $40,000,or 1,935 

fine ounces of gold.

Page 2
Alaska Resource Data File SV001

Alteration:

None reported, although Borden and others (1991) report other veins in the Nuka Bay 

district show carbonization, sulfidization, sericitization, and silicification of the wall rock 

adjacent to the veins.

Age of mineralization:

Tertiary; Boden and others (1991) report other veins in the district are about 55 m.y. 

old.

Deposit model:

Low-sulfide, Au-quartz vein (Cox and Singer, 1986; model 36a)

Deposit model number (After Cox and Singer, 1986 or Bliss, 1992):

36a

Production Status: Yes; small 

Site Status: Inactive

Workings/exploration:

The mine consists of four tunnels and other workings that total about 950 feet, excluding stopes and raises. Improvements on the site included a 1,000 foot aerial tram, a 10- 

ton jaw crusher, a Worthington Ball Mill with amalgamator, and a Diester sand table. 

Power was provided by a 66 inch Pelton wheel with 94 feet of head. In normal milling 

operations, the concentrates assayed $107 to $112 per ton gold (Pilgrim, 1933).

Production notes:

Pilgrim (1933) reported production of $40,000 or 1,935 fine ounces of gold. Richter, 

(1970) reported a total production of $45,000 from 1924-1931.

Reserves:

None.

Additional comments:

One of two principal producing mines in the area in 1935. This mine is now within the 

Kenai Fjords National Park and the park is closed to mineral entry.

References:

Pilgrim, 1933; Richter, 1970; Cobb, 1972 (MF-397); MacKevett and Holloway, 1977; 

Cobb, 1979 (OFR 80-87); Borden and others, 1991.

Primary reference: Pilgrim, 1931; Richter, 1970 

Reporter(s): Jeff A. Huber (Anchorage) 

Last report date: 02/08/99

Page 3
Alaska Resource Data File SV002

Site name(s): Anchor Point 

Site type: Mine 

ARDFno.: SV002 

Latitude: 59.768 

Longitude: 151.864

Quadrangle: SVD-5

Location description and accuracy:

Cobb (1972, MF-397) located this placer occurrence as begining at the south end of the 

spit at the mouth of Anchor River and running south along the beach for a mile and a half. 

This is Cobb's (1972, MF-397) location 2, and is accurate to within one quarter of a mile. 

There has apparently been no commercial mining at the site since before World War I.

Commodities:

Main: Au

Other: Pt? 

Ore minerals: Gold 

Gangue minerals:

Geologic description:

Gold has been found along the shoreline in a thin gravel layer about two feet below the 

surface. This area was mined intermittently from 1889 to 1911, mostly by rocker and 

small sluice boxes. One hydraulic plant was installed prior to 1906 (Moffit, 1906, p. 44) 

but it was a failure. The gold is probably derived from the Kenai Formation.

Alteration:

None.

Age of mineralization:

Quaternary.

Deposit model:

Placer Au (Cox and Singer, 1986; model 39a)

Deposit model number (After Cox and Singer, 1986 or Bliss, 1992):

39a

Production Status: Yes; small

Page 4
Alaska Resource Data File SV002

Site Status: Inactive

Workings/exploration:

This area was mined intermittently from 1889 to 1911, mostly by rocker and small 

sluice boxes. One hydraulic plant was installed prior to 1906 (Moffit, 1906, p. 44) but it 

was a failure. In support of the hydraulic plant a two mile long ditch and several support 

structures were built at the turn of the century.

Production notes:

A small amount of gold was probably produced from 1889 to 1911.

Reserves: 

Additional comments:

References:

Moffit, 1906; Atwood, 1909; Brooks, 1912; Martin and others, 1915; Cobb, 1973 (B1374); MacKevett and Holloway, 1977; Cobb, 1979 (OFR 80-87).

Primary reference: Cobb, 1979 (OFR 80-87) 

Reporter(s): Jeff A. Huber (Anchorage) 

Last report date: 02/04/99

Page 5
Alaska Resource Data File SV003

Site name(s): Aurora

Site type: Prospects 

ARDFno.: SV003 

Latitude: 59.681 

Longitude: 151.093

Quadrangle: SV C-3

Location description and accuracy:

The Aurora Prospects are about two miles south-southeast of the tip of Aurora Spit in 

the SE1/4 of section 2, T. 6 S., R. 11 W., of the Seward Meridian and about 12 miles 

northeast of Homer, Alaska. Three tunnels have been drifted along the canyon which 

drains Portlock Glacier. This is location 97 of Martin and others (1915); it is accurate to 

one quarter of a mile.

Commodities:

Main: Au?

Other:

Ore minerals: Gold?, pyrite 

Gangue minerals: Quartz

Geologic description:

Three tunnels have been driven in fractured graywacke of the Cretaceous Valdez Group, 

near the contact with a 20-foot-wide porphyritic dike. Martin and others (1915) did not 

find any indication of mineralization within the adits, but they did find some disseminated 

pyrite in the dump.

Alteration:

None reported.

Age of mineralization:

Deposit model:

Insufficient data to classify

Deposit model number (After Cox and Singer, 1986 or Bliss, 1992): 

Production Status:

Page 6
Alaska Resource Data File SV003

Site Status: Inactive

Workings/exploration:

Three short tunnels were driven and a wagon road and telephone line were installed in 

the early 1900's (Martin and others, 1915).

Production notes:

None reported.

Reserves: 

Additional comments:

References:

Moffit, 1906; Martin and others, 1915; Cobb, 1979 (OFR 80-87).

Primary reference: Cobb, 1979 (OFR 80-84) 

Reporter(s): Jeff A. Huber (Anchorage) 

Last report date: 02/04/99

Page?
Alaska Resource Data File SV004

Site name(s): Goyne; Surprise; Bear

Site type: Mine 

ARDFno.: SV004 

Latitude: 59.512 

Longitude: 150.494

Quadrangle: SVC-2

Location description and accuracy:

The Goyne mine is on the west shore of Surprise Bay about 0.6 miles south of the 

mouth of Palisade Lagoon. A wave-demolished cabin and a tailing dump is all that remains at the mill and campsite. Exploration and development work consisted of two adits, at approximately 25 and 135 feet above sea level, and numerous pits and trenches 

which trace series of mineralized quartz veins from sea level to the top the ridge. This is 

Cobb's (1972, MF-397) location 26 and Richter's (1970) location 8. Cobb (1979, OFR 

80-87) summarized the relevant references under the name Goyne.

Commodities: 

Main: Ag, Au 

Other: Pb, Te?

Ore minerals: Arsenopyrite, galena, gold, pyrite, sylvanite? 

Gangue minerals: Quartz

Geologic description:

The country rock near the lower portal is black slate of the Cretaceous Valdez Group 

that has been intruded by a Tertiary granodioritic dike (Richter,1970). The dike is very 

irregular and segmented but overall has a east-west trend and dips 65 to 85S. In hand 

sample, the dike is a light gray color with a medium equigranular texture. No primary 

mafic minerals were observed, but abundant chlorite (10 percent volume) occurs in poorly 

defined patches and scattered interstitial fillings. Veinlets of quartz, zoisite, and potassium feldspar are abundant throughout the dike (Richter, 1970).

The gold mineralization occurs in quartz veins which in places contain abundant arsenopyrite, with galena and pyrite. Gold mineralization seems to be more associated with 

galena than arsenopyrite (Pilgrim, 1931). Select high grade samples, taken from the surface at an elevation of about 600 feet, contained 158.16 ounces of gold and 58.92 ounces 

of silver per ton, and 0.72 percent tellurium as sylvanite (Smith, 1936, p. 31). The veins 

appear to be confined to the dike or local areas along dike-slate contacts. When veins 

pass into the slate, they pinch out or split into thin quartz stringers that pinch out.

In the underground workings, the veins are exposed on both levels and along a raise

PageS
Alaska Resource Data File SV004

connecting the two levels. The main vein in the upper adit, is about one-foot-wide and is 

exposed for 70 feet along strike. It strikes N85E and dips 75S. In the lower adit, the 

same vein is exposed for 100 feet and has a maximum width of 1.0 foot. Two random 

channel samples taken across the vein indicate a a fairly high gold content; 200 ppm gold 

across 0.9 foot in the upper adit and 40 ppm gold across one foot in the lower adit 

(Richter, 1970).

Alteration:

Borden and others (1991) reported carbonization, sulfidization, sericitization, and silicification of the wall rock adjacent to the veins.

Age of mineralization:

Tertiary; Boden and others (1991) report other veins in the district are about 55 m.y. 

old.

Deposit model:

Low-sulfide, Au-quartz vein (Cox and Singer, 1986; model 36a)

Deposit model number (After Cox and Singer, 1986 or Bliss, 1992):

36a

Production Status: Yes; small 

Site Status: Inactive

Workings/exploration:

Two tunnels were driven, and numerous trenches and prospect pits were dug on the 

property prior to 1934 (Pilgrim, 1933). Since that time the mine appears to have lain idle. 

The lower tunnel is at an elevation of 25 feet and the upper tunnel at 135 feet elevation. 

The tunnels are connected by a raise from which a total of 6,710 pounds of hand selected 

ore was produced. Samples from the lower working contained four ppm gold from a one 

foot vein and a sample from the stoped vein contained 200 ppm gold (Richter, 1970). A 

total of 600 feet of workings have been dug on the property.

Production notes:

In 1931, 6,710 pounds of hand selected ore that was shipped to a smelter in Tacoma, 

Washington produced 4.10 ounces of gold and 1.72 ounces of silver per ton (Pilgrim, 

1933).

Reserves:

None.

Additional comments:

This mine is within the Kenai Fjords National Park and is closed to mineral entry.

References:

Page 9
Alaska Resource Data File SV004

Pilgrim, 1933; Capps, 1938; Berg and Cobb, 1967; Richter, 1970; Cobb, 1972 (MF-397); 

MacKevett and Holloway, 1977; Cobb, 1979 (OFR 80-87); Borden and others, 1991.

Primary reference: Richter, 1970 

Reporter(s): Jeff A. Huber (Anchorage) 

Last report date: 02/07/99

Page 10
Alaska Resource Data File SV005

Site name(s): Claim Point; Reef 

Site type: Mine 

ARDFno.: SV005 

Latitude: 59.21 

Longitude: 151.82

Quadrangle: SV A-5

Location description and accuracy:

These chromite deposits occur on a small peninsula on the northern shore of Port 

Chatham in the SW1/4 of section 21, T. 11 S., R. 15 W., of the Seward Meridian. Most 

of the chromite lens and layers are found on the northeast side of the peninsula near the 

old mill and wharf. This is location 1 of Cobb (1972, MF-397) and is accurate to within 

half a mile.

Commodities: 

Main: Cr 

Other: Fe

Ore minerals: Chromite, magnetite 

Gangue minerals: Olivine, pyroxene

Geologic description:

The chromite at Claim Point occurs in dunite that is part of the informally named Border Ranges ultramafic and mafic complex of Burns (1985). The Border Ranges complex 

is at least Jurassic in age. The complex is faulted at the base and there are many small 

northeast-trending, high-angle faults which offset the chromite layers. In general, the 

chromite layers strike northeast and dip nearly vertical.

Most of the production in the area has occurred from the Reef mine where the ore body 

strikes N76E with a near vertical dip. Its length is about 135 feet and the width ranges 

from three to 35 feet. The chromic oxide content of the ore as shipped, ranged from 42 

to 49 percent (Guild, 1942).

Foley and Barker (1985) estimates there is 82,000 metric tons of ore that grades from 5 

to 30% chromic oxide.

Alteration:

Serpentation and spillitic alteration is common.

Age of mineralization:

Early Jurassic.

Page 11
Alaska Resource Data File SV005

Deposit model:

Podiform chromite (Cox and Singer, 1986; model 8a)

Deposit model number (After Cox and Singer, 1986 or Bliss, 1992):

8a

Production Status: Yes; small 

Site Status: Inactive

Workings/exploration:

Production totaled 2,000 metric tons from the Reef and Bluff mines from 1916 to 1918; 

development included a wharf and camp. Some drilling was done during WW n by the 

U.S. Bureau of Mines. Anaconda Minerals flew regional airborne geophysics in the early 

1980s which showed a major magnetic high underlying the outer part of Port Chatham 

bay(Foley, 1992).

Production notes:

Two thousand metric tons of chromite ore was produced in 1917 and 1918 (Foley, 

1992, p. 38).

Reserves:

There are conflicting estimates of the remaining reserves for this property. Foley (1992, 

p. 38) estimates a total resource of 82,000 metric tons of ore that grades 17.8% chromic 

oxide, while MacKevett and others (1978, p. 17) estimate a resource of 260,000 tons at 

17.8% chromic oxide.

Additional comments:

References:

Grant and Higgins, 1910; Martin and others, 1915; Brooks, 1918; Mertie, 1919; Gill, 

1920; Martin, 1920; Brooks, 1921; Gill, 1922; Guild, 1942; Bain, 1946; Sanford and 

Cole, 1949; Twenhofel, 1953; Berg and Cobb, 1967; Cobb, 1972 (MF-397); Bird, 1977; 

MacKevett and Holloway, 1977; Cobb, 1979 (OFR 80-87); Burns, 1985; Foley and 

Barker, 1985; Nokleberg and others, 1987; Foley, 1992.

Primary reference: Foley, 1985; Guild, 1942 

Reporter(s): Jeff A. Huber (Anchorage) 

Last report date: 02/25/99

Page 12
Alaska Resource Data File SV006

Sitename(s): Frank Long 

Site type: Prospect 

ARDFno.: SV006 

Latitude: 59.51 

Longitude: 150.61

Quadrangle: SV C-2

Location description and accuracy:

Pilgrim (1933) located this prospect directly across from Beautiful Island just above the 

high tide line in the West Arm of Nuka Bay, and 1.5 miles south of the entrance of Beauty 

Bay. Richter (1970) could not find any signs of this prospect and its location is uncertain.

Commodities:

Main: Ag, Au

Other:

Ore minerals: Arsenopyrite, gold 

Gangue minerals: Quartz

Geologic description:

The quartz vein at this prospect is hosted in Cretaceous Valdez Group graywacke 

(Richter, 1970). The vein varies from six to 24 inches in width; it strikes S45E and dips 

nearly vertical. The vein consists of white quartz and arsenopyrite with considerable 

graywacke fragments. The vein was drifted along strike for 88 feet. A sample of quartz 

and arsenopyrite taken from the ore stockpile assayed 0.38 ounces of gold and 0.30 

ounces of silver per ton (Pilgrim, 1933).

Alteration:

None reported, although Borden and others (1991) report other veins in the Nuka Bay 

district show carbonization, sulfidization, sericitization, and silicification of the wall rock 

adjacent to the veins.

Age of mineralization:

Tertiary; Boden and others (1991) report other veins in the district are about 55 m.y. 

old.

Deposit model:

Low-sulfide, Au-quartz vein (Cox and Singer, 1986; model 36a)

Page 13
Alaska Resource Data File SV006

Deposit model number (After Cox and Singer, 1986 or Bliss, 1992):

36a

Production Status: Undetermined. 

Site Status: Inactive

Workings/exploration:

The vein was drifted along strike for 88 feet. A sample of quartz and arsenopyrite 

taken from the ore stockpile assayed 0.38 ounces of gold and 0.30 ounces of silver per ton 

(Pilgrim, 1933).

Production notes:

None reported.

Reserves:

Additional comments:

This property is often combined with the Skinner property. The site is difficult to locate.

References:

Pilgrim, 1933; Smith, 1938 (B 897-A); Richter, 1970; MacKevett and Holloway, 1977; 

Cobb, 1979 (OFR 80-87); Borden and others, 1991.

Primary reference: Richter, 1970; Pilgrim, 1933 

Reporter(s): Jeff A. Huber (Anchorage) 

Last report date: 03/07/99

Page 14
Alaska Resource Data File SV007

Site name(s): Charles Frank

Site type: Mine 

ARDFno.: SV007 

Latitude: 59.563 

Longitude: 150.587

Quadrangle: SVC-2

Location description and accuracy:

The Charles Frank mine is located 1.8 miles north of Moss Point on the west shore of 

the Nuka Bay's North Arm. A caved adit exists just above the high tide line and about 40 

feet below the discovery outcrops. This is Cobb's (1972, MF-397) location 22 and Richter's (1970) location 2. This location is accurate to within 300 feet.

Commodities:

Main: Au

Other:

Ore minerals: Arsenopyrite, gold, pyrite 

Gangue minerals: Quartz

Geologic description:

The prospect consists of two quartz-arsenopyrite veins that cut Cretaceous Valdez 

Group black slate (Richter, 1970). Pilgrim (1933), describes the vein as being 8 to 14 

inches wide, it trends N53E and dips 79N. Near the caved portal the black slate strikes 

N25E and dips 35W. A 60 foot adit was driven N50W where it intersected the vein. A 

total of 51 feet of drift was driven along the vein eight feet to the southwest and 43 feet to 

the northeast (Pilgrim, 1933). Grab samples from the dump contained 0.04 ppm gold 

(Richter, 1970).

Alteration:

None reported, although Borden and others (1991) report other veins in the Nuka Bay 

district show carbonization, sulfidization, sericitization, and silicification of the wall rock 

adjacent to the veins.

Age of mineralization:

Tertiary; Boden and others (1991) report other veins in the district are about 55 m.y. 

old.

Deposit model:

Page 15
Alaska Resource Data File SV007

Low-sulfide, Au-quartz vein (Cox and Singer, 1986; model 36a)

Deposit model number (After Cox and Singer, 1986 or Bliss, 1992):

36a

Production Status: Yes; small 

Site Status: Inactive

Workings/exploration:

A 60 foot adit was driven N50W where it intersected the vein. A total of 51 feet of drift 

was driven along the vein eight feet to the southwest and 43 feet to the northeast (Pilgrim, 

1933). Grab samples from the dump contained 0.04 ppm gold (Richter, 1970).

Production notes:

An unknown amount of gold was produced between 1931 and 1933 (Pilgrim, 1933).

Reserves:

None.

Additional comments:

These prospects are within the Kenai Fjords National Park which is closed to mineral 

entry.

References:

Pilgrim, 1933; Richter, 1970; Cobb, 1972 (MF-397); MacKevett and Holloway, 1977; 

Cobb, 1979 (OFR 80-87); Borden and others, 1991.

Primary reference: Richter, 1970; Pilgrim, 1931 

Reporter(s): Jeff A. Huber (Anchorage) 

Last report date: 02/06/99

Page 16
Alaska Resource Data File SV008

Site name(s): Glass & Heifner; Little Creek; Earl Mount

Site type: Prospect 

ARDFno.: SV008

Latitude: 59.553

Longitude: 150.678

Quadrangle: SV C-2

Location description and accuracy:

This prospect is about one mile northwest of the mouth of Ferrum Creek. Ferrum Creek 

drains into a northwestern trending arm of Nuka Bay, called Beauty Bay. A road leads to 

the property from the Nuka River flats airstrip. The prospect consists of a 400 foot adit, 

numerous prospect pits and trenches. The adit is at 200 feet elevation and the prospect pit 

can be found along the hillside above the adit at an elevation of 350 feet. This is Cobb's 

(1972, MF-397) location 19 and Richter's (1970) location 2. Cobb (1979, OFR 80-87) 

summarized the relevant references for this prospect under the name Glass and Heifner. 

This location is accurate to within 300 feet.

Commodities: 

Main: Ag, Au 

Other: Cu, Pb, Zn

Ore minerals: Arsenopyrite, galena, gold, sphalerite 

Gangue minerals: Quartz

Geologic description:

Cretaceous Valdez Group massive graywacke is exposed in all the underground workings and in most of the surface outcrops. The only black slate and siltstones in the vicinity 

are exposed in the eastern and southeastern most prospect pits. Foliation and bedding in 

this area trends N10 to 30E and dips 50 to 60NW (Richter, 1970).

At least three major quartz veins are exposed on the property. All the quartz veins generally strike east-west and dip to the north. The northern most and principal vein is sporadically exposed in the surface working for about 350 feet and underground for 125 feet. 

At its western extremity, the vein has a consistent moderate dip of 40 to 60N, but toward 

the east the dip steepens to more than SON. The vein ranges from one to five feet wide 

and consists of white quartz with massive lens and sheets of arsenopyrite (Richter, 1970). 

Two samples cut randomly across the vein in the main drift assayed 72 and 0.2 ppm gold 

(Richter, 1970).

A second and much shorter vein is exposed 100 feet south of the main vein in two surface trenches about 100 feet apart. The vein generally strikes east-west and dips 84 to

Page 17
Alaska Resource Data File SV008

87N. This vein contains only minor sulfides, but Pilgrim (1933) reported that abundant 

free coarse gold was panned from samples of this vein. This vein does not extend in 

depth to the underground workings.

Sixty feet further south, a third vein is exposed over a distance of 150 feet in pits and 

trenches. The third vein is also exposed in a short drift off the main adit. The vein has 

been stoped from the adit to the surface, the stoped area contained abundant galena and 

free gold (Pilgrim, 1933). Overall, the vein is lens shaped and pinches out to the east and 

west. A channel sample from the vein (Richter, 1970) contained 2 ppm gold.

Alteration:

Borden and others (1991) report carbonization, sulfidization, sericitization, and silicification of the wall rock adjacent to the veins.

Age of mineralization:

Tertiary; Boden and others (1991) report other veins in the district are about 55 m.y. 

old.

Deposit model:

Low-sulfide, Au-quartz vein (Cox and Singer, 1986; model 36a)

Deposit model number (After Cox and Singer, 1986 or Bliss, 1992):

36a

Production Status: Yes; small 

Site Status: Inactive

Workings/exploration:

Four hundred and fifty feet of tunnels were driven in 1932 through 1934, but the 

amount of ore delineated was not enough to justify a mill (Capps, 1938). Some smallscale, surface mining took place in 1967 (Richter, 1970).

Production notes:

Reserves:

None.

Additional comments:

This occurrence is within Kenai Fjords National Park, consequently the area is closed to 

mineral entry.

References:

Pilgrim, 1933; Capps, 1938; Richter, 1970; Cobb, 1972 (MF-397); MacKevett and Holloway, 1977; Cobb, 1979 (OFR 80-87); Borden and others, 1991.

Primary reference: Richter, 1970

Page 18
Alaska Resource Data File SV008

Reporter(s): Jeff A. Huber (Anchorage) 

Last report date: 02/15/99

Page 19
Alaska Resource Data File SV009

Site name(s): Hatcher; Utopia; North Gold

Site type: Prospects 

ARDFno.: SV009

Latitude: 59.574

Longitude: 150.508

Quadrangle: SVC-2

Location description and accuracy:

These prospects are located just south of Pilot Harbor on the west side of the North Arm 

of Nuka Bay. The Hatcher prospect consists of two short adits near the high tide line, just 

south of the entrance to Pilot Harbor. The Utopia and North Gold claims are described as 

being about one mile south of Pilot Harbor and the workings consist of a series of short 

tunnels and prospect pits which trace multiple white quartz veins up the ridge. This is 

Cobb's (1972, MF-397) location 24 and Richter's (1970) location 7. Cobb (1979, OFR 

80-87) summarized the relevant references to this prospect under the name Hatcher. The 

location of the two adits is accurate to within 300 feet.

Commodities:

Main: Ag, Au

Other: Cu, Pb,Zn

Ore minerals: Arsenopyrite, chalcopyrite, galena, gold, pyrite, sphalerite 

Gangue minerals: Quartz

Geologic description:

The host rock of the prospects is Cretaceous Valdez Group slates and graywackes 

(Richter, 1970). The quartz veins are typical of the district and consist of white crystalline quartz with varying amounts of sulfides. Arsenopyrite is the dominate sulfide with 

decreasing amounts of pyrite, chacopyrite, sphalerite, and galena. Gold occurs as free 

gold and is associated with arsenopyrite. The veins are confined to the more massive 

graywacke units and commonly pinch out when they splay into the slate units. The veins 

at the various tunnels and prospect pits range in width from five inches to over five feet. 

The general strike of the veins is east-west with a near vertical dip.

Alteration:

Borden and others (1991) report carbonization, sulfidization, sericitization, and silicification of the wall rock adjacent to the veins.

Age of mineralization:

Page 20
Alaska Resource Data File SV009

Tertiary; Boden and others (1991) report other veins in the district are about 55 m.y. 

old.

Deposit model:

Low-sulfide, Au-quartz vein (Cox and Singer, 1986; model 36a)

Deposit model number (After Cox and Singer, 1986 or Bliss, 1992):

36a

Production Status: None 

Site Status: Inactive

Workings/exploration:

The workings consist of several short tunnels and numerous prospect pits. No assay results are reported.

Production notes:

Reserves:

None.

Additional comments:

These prospects are within Kenai Fjords National Park; the area is closed to mineral entry.

References:

Pilgrim, 1933; Richter, 1970; Cobb, 1972 (MF-397); MacKevett and Holloway, 1977; 

Cobb, 1979 (OFR 80-87); Borden and others, 1991.

Primary reference: Richter, 1970; Pilgrim, 1933 

Reporter(s): Jeff A. Huber (Anchorage) 

Last report date: 02/09/99

Page 21
Alaska Resource Data File SV010

Site name(s): Johnston & Degan; Grubstake & Lost Boys

Site type: Prospect 

ARDFno.: SV010

Latitude: 59.52

Longitude: 150.49

Quadrangle: SV C-2

Location description and accuracy:

The prospect is located on both sides of the ridge that separates Quartz Bay from Surprise Bay, both of which are in the West Arm of Nuka Bay. This is Cobb's (1972, MF397) location 25 and MacKevett and Holloway's (1977) location -16. Cobb (1979, OFR 

80-87) summarized the relevant references to this prospect under the name Johnson and 

Degan. This location is accurate within half a mile.

Commodities: 

Main: Ag, Au 

Other: Pb

Ore minerals: Arsenopyrite, galena, gold, pyrite 

Gangue minerals: Quartz

Geologic description:

Cretaceous Valdez Group graywacke host the mineralization of the Johnson and Degan 

prospect (Richter, 1970). Generally quartz veins are hosted in the graywacke although 

conglomerates are found in the area. The veins are white quartz containing few percent 

sulfides, although some exposures show considerable iron-staining. A single sample 

through a vein at an elevation of 1,000 feet, on the Surprise Bay side of the ridge, assayed 

0.98 ounces of gold and 1.0 ounce of silver per ton (Pilgrim, 1933).

Alteration:

Extensive oxidation staining on surface outcrops. Borden and others (1991) report other 

veins in the Nuka Bay district show carbonization, sulfidization, sericitization, and silicification of the wall rock adjacent to the veins.

Age of mineralization:

Tertiary; Boden and others (1991) report other veins in the district are about 55 m.y. 

old.

Deposit model:

Page 22
Alaska Resource Data File SV010

Low-sulfide, Au-quartz vein (Cox and Singer, 1986; model 36a)

Deposit model number (After Cox and Singer, 1986 or Bliss, 1992):

36a

Production Status: None

Site Status: Inactive

Workings/exploration:

Surface trails were laid and trenches were dug in the 1930's. A single sample through a 

vein at 1000 feet elevation on the Surprise Bay side of the ridge, assayed 0.98 ounces of 

gold and 1.0 ounce of silver per ton (Pilgrim, 1933).

Production notes:

Reserves:

None.

Additional comments:

This prospect is within the Kenai Fjords National Park; the area is closed to mineral entry.

References:

Pilgrim, 1933; Capps, 1938; Richter, 1970; Cobb, 1972 (MF-397); MacKevett and Holloway, 1977; Cobb, 1979 (OFR 80-87); Borden and others, 1991.

Primary reference: Pilgrim, 1933 

Reporter(s): Jeff A. Huber (Anchorage) 

Last report date: 02/09/99

Page 23
Alaska Resource Data File SV011

Site name(s): Mills & Trimble

Site type: Prospect 

ARDFno.: SV011 

Latitude: 59.26 

Longitude: 151.56

Quadrangle: SVB-5

Location description and accuracy:

The prospect is located in the northern one-half of section 1, T. 11 S., R. 14 W., of the 

Seward Meridian, about one mile west of Mt. Mills and about 1.5 miles north of the end 

of the Rocky River road that runs from Seldovia to Windy Bay. This location is accurate 

to within half a mile. This is Cobb's (1972, MF-397) location 3.

Commodities:

Main: Ag, Au

Other: Cu, Ni

Ore minerals: Arsenopyrite, chalcopyrite, gold, pyrite 

Gangue minerals: Calcite, quartz

Geologic description:

The bedrock around Mt. Mills is Cretaceous Valdez Group metasediments and greenstone that is cut by felsic dikes of probable Tertiary age (Cobb, 1979, OFR 80-87). The 

prospect consists of a zone 30 to 50 feet wide, composed of reddish, decaying dike rock 

which contains some thin quartz veins; it has been fractured by post-veining movement. 

The zone has a general north-south trend and dips 60 to 70W. The quartz veins are less 

than a foot wide and contain arsenopyrite, pyrite, and chalcopyrite. Several small adits 

have been made in this zone but no assay results are reported (Martin and others, 1915).

Alteration:

Alteration or oxidation of dike rock related to a possible shear zone.

Age of mineralization:

Younger than Cretaceous host rocks.

Deposit model:

Low-sulfide, Au-quartz vein (Cox and Singer, 1986; model 36a)

Deposit model number (After Cox and Singer, 1986 or Bliss, 1992):

Page 24
Alaska Resource Data File SV011

36a

Production Status: None 

Site Status: Inactive

Workings/exploration:

Several small adits were driven in the early 1900's. No assay results are reported 

(Martin and others, 1915).

Production notes:

Reserves:

None.

Additional comments:

References:

Grant and Higgins, 1910; Martin and others, 1915; Berg and Cobb, 1967; Cobb, 1972 

(MF-397); MacKevett and Holloway, 1977; Cobb, 1979 (OFR 80-87).

Primary reference: Martin and others, 1915 

Reporter(s): Jeff A. Huber (Anchorage) 

Last report date: 03/04/99

Page 25
Alaska Resource Data File SV012

Site name(s): Nuka Bays Mining Company; Nookas; Harrington

Site type: Mine 

ARDFno.: SV012

Latitude: 59.554

Longitude: 150.618

Quadrangle: SV C-2

Location description and accuracy:

The Nuka Bay mine is on the northwest flank of Hill 1728 overlooking Beauty Bay. 

Beauty Bay is a northwest trending arm of Nuka Bay, about 65 miles southwest of Seward, Alaska. An overgrown trail begins near the first stream north of the mouth of the 

bay and climbs to an elevation of 1,100 feet where the portal and mill site are located. 

This is Cobb's (1972, MF-397) location 21 and Richter's (1970) location 4. Cobb summarized the relevant references under the name Nuka Bay Mines Co. This location is accurate to within 300 feet.

Commodities: 

Main: Au 

Other: Ag

Ore minerals: Arsenopyrite, gold, pyrite 

Gangue minerals: Quartz

Geologic description:

The mineralization is hosted by slates and graywackes of the Cretaceous Valdez Group 

(Richter, 1970). The quartz veins that have been mined are typical of the district and consist of white crystalline quartz with various amounts of sulfides. Arsenopyrite is the dominate sulfide with minor amounts of pyrite. Gold occurs as free gold associated with arsenopyrite.

At the 1,480 foot workings a four-inch to three-foot vein has been drifted on for at least 

35 feet. The vein is in a thin bedded graywacke and slate that strikes N85W and dips 

82N. The vein is strongly iron stained and contains scattered lens and stringers of arsenopyrite and pyrite. A single channel sample of this vein assayed 8.8 ppm gold (Richter, 

1970).

The workings at 1,180 feet elevation consists of a 30-foot-deep shaft that exposed a 

one- to two-feet-wide quartz vein. The vein strikes N20E and dips 30NW The vein is 

exposed for about 20 feet on the surface and is hosted in a thin-bedded graywacke. A random channel sample of this vein assayed 304 ppm gold (Richter, 1970).

A 410 foot long exploration adit was driven at 1,120 feet elevation near the mill site.

Page 26
Alaska Resource Data File SV012

The adit was driven eastward for 270 feet where it split into two drifts to the south. All 

the workings are in a massive graywacke that generally strikes northward and dips 35W. 

About 20 feet from the portal, a 0.5 foot-wide quartz vein was followed for about 30 feet. 

At about 65 feet from the portal, a wider vein was followed for almost 80 feet where it 

appears to end in a stockwork of veins about 160 feet from the portal. This vein strikes 

almost east-west and dips SOS. A sample of the vein assayed 0.8 ppm gold (Richter, 

1970). The original purpose of the adit was probably to intercept the veins exposed at the 

surface but for an unknown reason, the tunnel stopped short of this goal.

Alteration:

None reported although Borden and others (1991) report other veins in the Nuka Bay 

district show carbonization, sulfidization, sericitization, and silicification of the wall rock 

adjacent to the veins.

Age of mineralization:

Tertiary; Boden and others (1991) report other veins in the district are about 55 m.y. 

old.

Deposit model:

Low-sulfide, Au-quartz vein (Cox and Singer, 1986; model 36a)

Deposit model number (After Cox and Singer, 1986 or Bliss, 1992):

36a

Production Status: Yes; small 

Site Status: Inactive

Workings/exploration:

A 400 foot tunnel was driven prior to 1933 to test the downward extension of the veins 

at the 1,400 foot and 1,181 foot exposures but it failed to intercept significant veining at 

depth. A small Gibson mill was erected prior to 1933 (Pilgrim, 1933). Two shallow 

shafts were dug at 1,400 feet and 1,180 feet elevation. Twenty-four tons of ore from one 

of these shafts produced 27 ounces of retort (Pilgrim, 1933). Channel samples at an unknown location by Pilgrim (1933) returned up to 4.54 ounces of gold per ton. Richter 

(1970) sampled the 1,400 foot elevation exposure which assayed 8.8 ppm gold; a two foot 

channel sample at the 1,180 foot exposure contained 304 ppm gold.

Production notes:

This property has produced some gold but the exact amount is unknown.

Reserves:

None.

Additional comments:

This prospect is within Kenai Fjords National Park; the area is now closed to mineral

Page 27
Alaska Resource Data File SV012

entry.

References:

Smith, 1932 (B 824); Pilgrim, 1933; Capps, 1938; Richter, 1970; Cobb, 1972 (MF-397); 

MacKevett and Holloway, 1977; Cobb, 1979 (OFR 80-87); Borden and others, 1991.

Primary reference: Richter, 1970; Pilgrim, 1933 

Reporter(s): Jeff A. Huber (Anchorage) 

Last report date: 02/15/99

Page 28
Alaska Resource Data File SV013

Site name(s): Peter Sather; Rolphs; Alan Blairs

Site type: Prospect 

ARDFno.: SV013

Latitude: 59.46

Longitude: 150.63

Quadrangle: SVB-2

Location description and accuracy:

This prospect is located on the beach along the south shore of Yalik Bay about two 

miles west of Yalik Point. Yalik Bay is about 70 miles southwest of Seward, Alaska in 

Nuka Bay. This is Cobb's (1972, MF-397) location 16 and is accurate within half a mile. 

Cobb (1979, OFR 80-87) summarized the relevant references under the name Sather.

Commodities: 

Main: Au

Other: Ag, Cu, Pb

Ore minerals: Chalcopyrite, gold, galena, pyrite, sphalerite 

Gangue minerals: Calcite, quartz

Geologic description:

The Rolph No. 1 vein intrudes the black slate of the Cretaceous Valdez Group (Richter, 

1970). The No.l vein strikes S57E and dips 85E. On the surface, the vein ranges from a 

few inches to 42 inches thick and contains white crystalline quartz with pyrite, chacopyrite, sphalerite, and galena. Surface samples of the vein contained 0.80 ounces of gold 

and 1.40 ounces of silver per ton (Pilgrim, 1933). In the adit, which is about 87 feet long, 

the vein is six inches wide and contains some sulfides, but no assay results are reported.

The western vein is along the margins of a light gray granodiorite dike and the black 

slates. In hand sample, the dike rock generally contains a few small altered amphibole 

and plagioclase phenocrysts; it is probably Tertiary in age ( Richter, 1970). A 60 foot adit 

intersects but does not cross the vein. The vein is at least 30 inches wide in the adit and 

consists of dull white quartz with considerable slate fragments, but no sulfides. The margins of the slate fragments have calcite rims. A sample from a portion of the vein returned traces of gold and silver (Pilgrim, 1933).

Alteration:

Calcite rims are found on slate fragments within the vein.

Age of mineralization:

Page 29
Alaska Resource Data File SV013

Tertiary; Boden and others (1991) report other veins in the district are about 55 m.y. 

old.

Deposit model:

Low-sulfide, Au-quartz vein (Cox and Singer, 1986; model 36a)

Deposit model number (After Cox and Singer, 1986 or Bliss, 1992):

36a

Production Status: None 

Site Status: Inactive

Workings/exploration:

Some surface excavations and 87 feet of adit were driven in the 1930's. Chip samples in 

the No. 1 vein assayed 0.8 ounces of gold and 1.40 ounces of silver per ton (Pilgrim, 

1933). Chip/channel samples taken at the surface of the Rolph No. 1 vein along strike 

averaged 0.25 ounces of gold per ton (MacKevett and Holloway, 1977).

Production notes:

Reserves:

None.

Additional comments:

References:

Pilgrim, 1933; Capps, 1938; Cobb, 1972 (MF-397); MacKevett and Holloway, 1977; 

Cobb, 1979 (OFR 80-87).

Primary reference: Pilgrim, 1933 

Reporter(s): Jeff A. Huber (Anchorage) 

Last report date: 02/15/99

Page 30
Alaska Resource Data File SV014

Site name(s): Unnamed (on Red Mountain) 

Site type: Mine 

ARDFno.: SV014

Latitude: 59.35

Longitude: 151.49

Quadrangle: SVB-4

Location description and accuracy:

The Red Mountain deposits consist of at least 30 known occurrences within a sevensquare-mile area of ultramafic rocks. The center of the ultramafic rocks is section 28, T. 

9 S., R. 13 W., of the Seward Meridian, which is about seven air miles southeast of Seldovia, Alaska. The area is accessable by a gravel road from Seldovia through the Windy 

River valley.

Commodities:

Main: Cr

Other: Ni

Ore minerals: Chromite 

Gangue minerals:

Geologic description:

The Red Mountain ultramafic complex covers about 7 square miles and is part of the 

informally named Border Ranges ultramafic and mafic complex of Burns (1985). The Jurassic Border Ranges complex is thought to be the dismembered basal section of an island arc complex (Burns, 1985) which extends from the tip of the Kenai Peninsula to east 

of Sutton, Alaska.

The dunite body is a klippe thrust over the Cretaceous McHugh Complex graywackes and 

slates. The margin of the Red Mountain klippe is serpentized and the gross overall structure of the klippe is an elongated basin.

The Red Mountain ultramafic body is mostly dunite with some pyroxenite and garnetpyroxenite layers (Guild, 1942). Chromite layers and lens up to 300 feet long and 60 feet 

wide are found only within the dunite. Generally, the layers strike northwest and dip 

steeply near the margins of the klippe and are nearly flat lying near the center of the body.

There are over 30 identified chromite occurrences that occur in thin lens bands and pod 

within the dunite layers of the ultramafic body. Small scale folds and small scale normal 

faults commonly disrupt the chromite layers. The Cr/Fe ratio of the chromite generally 

varies from 2.6 to 3.6; at least 90% of the chromite is with these limits (Gill, 1922).

Page 31
Alaska Resource Data File SV014

Alteration:

Serpentzation occurs along the margin of the ultramafic body.

Age of mineralization:

Mesozoic; based on the age of the ultramafic body that host the deposit.

Deposit model:

Podiform chromite (Cox and Singer, 1986; model 8a)

Deposit model number (After Cox and Singer, 1986 or Bliss, 1992):

8b

Production Status: None 

Site Status: Inactive

Workings/exploration:

The area was discovered about 1910 to 1915, and some minor development and production occurred in 1920 (Brooks, 1922). During WW n, the Bureau of Mines drilled over 

thirty diamond drill holes to evaluate the deposits. From 1942 to 1944, the Chrome Queen 

mine produced 6,650 tons of 40 to 42% chromite ore.

Ongoing exploration continued through the late 1980's. Anaconda Minerals drilled six 

diamond drill holes in about 1982 and 83 which tested the Horseshoe Stringer Zone and 

the Turner Stringer Zone (Bill Ellis, 1999, Personal communcation). Anaconda Minerals 

also flew regional airborne geophysics in the early 1980's.

Production notes:

Total production from 1943 to 1958 was 26,000 metric tons of ore containing 38 to 43 

percent chrome; the Chrome Queen mine produced 6,650 tons and the Star No. 4 mine 

produced 19,350 tons (Foley and Barker, 1985).

Reserves:

About 26,000 million tons of ore containing from 38 to 43% chromite were produced 

between 1943 and 1958. The remaining reserve are estimated to be 1.5 million tons of 

contained chromic oxide in 33 deposits (Foley, 1992). About 88,000 million tons of 

chromic oxide are contained in 20 relative high-grade deposits with more than 20 percent 

chromite. The bulk of the reserves, 1.35 million tons are in three low-grade deposits that 

contain 5 to 6 percent chromic oxide (Foley, 1992). These are the Turner Stringer Zone, 

(1.13 million metric tons chromic oxide), the Star Stringer Zone (189,000 metric tons 

chromic oxide) and the Horseshoe Stringer Zone (26,000 metric tons chromic oxide) 

(Foley, 1992).

Additional comments:

There is little information regarding the actual mining of this deposit.

References:

Page 32
Alaska Resource Data File SV014

Grant and Higgins, 1910; Martin and others, 1915; Brooks, 1918; Mertie, 1919; Gill, 

1920; Martin, 1920; Brooks, 1921; Gill, 1922; Smith, 1933 (B 844-A); Smith, 1934 (B 

857-A); Smith, 1936 (B 868-A); Smith, 1937 (B 880-A); Smith, 1938 (B 897-A); Guild, 

1942; Bain, 1946; Rutledge, 1946; Moxham and Nelson, 1952; Twenhofle, 1953; Williams, 1954; Wells and others, 1957; Berg and Cobb, 1967; Cobb, 1972 (MF-397); 

Forbes, 1974; Bird, 1978; MacKevett and others, 1978; Cobb, 1979 (OFR 80-87); Toth, 

1981; Burns, 1985; Foley, Barker, and Brown, 1985; Foley and Barker, 1985; Foley, 

1992.

Primary reference: Gill, 1922; Guild, 1942 

Reporter(s): Jeff A. Huber (Anchorage) 

Last report date: 03/09/99

Page 33
Alaska Resource Data File SV015

Site name(s): Kenai Chrome; Star #4; Chrome Queen

Site type: Mine 

ARDFno.: SV015

Latitude: 59.38

Longitude: 151.47

Quadrangle: SVB-4

Location description and accuracy:

The Red Mountain ultramafic body contains at least 30 chromite occurrences. The 

Kenai Chrome mine and the Chrome Queen mine are the only past producers. They are 

located in section 21, T. 9 S., R. 13 W., of the Seward Meridian.

Commodities:

Main: Cr

Other: Ni

Ore minerals: Chromite 

Gangue minerals:

Geologic description:

The Red Mountain ultramafic complex covers about 7 square miles and is part of the 

informally named Border Ranges ultramafic and mafic complex of Burns (1985). The 

Jurassic Border Ranges complex is thought to be the dismembered basal section of an island arc complex (Burns, 1985) which extends from the tip of the Kenai Peninsula to east 

of Sutton, Alaska.

The dunite body is a klippe thrust over the Cretaceous McHugh Complex graywackes and 

slates. The margin of the Red Mountain klippe is serpentized and the gross overall structure of the klippe is an elongated basin.

The Kenai Chrome mine is located on the Star No. 4 claim at an elevation of 2,600 feet 

on the north side of the ultramafic body. The chromite seams can be traced for almost 

1,000 feet but it is less than a foot thick for over half this distance (Guild, 1941). The 

main ore body was 625 feet long and had a maxium thickness of 9.8 feet. The strike of 

the layering is N10W and the dip varies from 35 to 70W except where minor folding has 

caused variations. Several small faults strike more or less at right angle to the chromite 

banding. The Cr/Fe ratio of the chromite generally varies from 2.6 to 3.6; at least 90% of 

the chromite is with these limits (Gill, 1922).

Alteration:

Page 34
Alaska Resource Data File SV015

Age of mineralization:

Mesozoic; based on the age of the ultramafic body that hosts the deposit.

Deposit model:

Podiform chromite (Cox and Singer, 1986; model 8b)

Deposit model number (After Cox and Singer, 1986 or Bliss, 1992):

8b

Production Status: Yes; small 

Site Status: Inactive

Workings/exploration:

The area was discovered about 1910 to 1915 , and some minor development and production occurring in 1920 (Brooks, 1922). During WW n, the Bureau of Mines drilled 

over thirty diamond drill holes to evaluate the deposits. In 1942 through 1944, production 

from the Chrome Queen mine totaled 6,650 tons of 40 to 42% chromic oxide ore. Star 

No.4 produced 15,000 tons at 46% chromic oxide about 1954, from 490 feet of underground workings. Ore from the Star No. 4 averaged 40 to 46% chromic oxide. On-going 

exploration continued through the late 1980's. Anaconda Minerals drilled 6 diamond drill 

holes about 1982 and 83 which tested the Horseshoe Stringer Zone and the Turner 

Stringer Zone ( Bill Ellis, 1999, personal communcation). Anaconda Minerals also flew 

regional airborne geophysic over the body in the early 1980's.

Production notes:

About 26,000 million tons of ore containing from 38 to 43% chromic oxide were produced between 1943 and 1958 (Foley, 1992).

Reserves:

About 26,000 million tons of ore containing from 38 to 43% Cr2O3 were produced between 1943 and 1958. The remaining reserve are estimates to be 1.5 million tons of contained chromic oxide in 33 deposits (Foley, 1992). About 88,000 million tons chromic 

oxide are contained in 20 relative high-grade deposits with more than 20 percent chromite. The bulk of the reserves, 1.35 million tons are in three low -grade deposits that contain 5 to 6 percent chromic oxide (Foley, 1992). These are the Turner Stringer Zone, 

(1.13 million metric tons chromic oxide), the Star Stringer Zone (189,000 metric tons 

chromic oxide) and the Horseshoe Stringer Zone (26,000 metric tons chromic oxide) 

(Foley, 1992).

Additional comments:

References:

Grant and Higgins, 1910; Martin and others, 1915; Brooks, 1918; Mertie, 1919; Gill, 

1920; Martin, 1920; Brooks, 1921; Gill, 1922; Smith, 1933 (B 844-A); Smith, 1934 (B 

857-A); Smith, 1936 (B 868-A); Smith, 1937 (B 880-A); Smith, 1938 (B 897-A); Guild,

Page 35
Alaska Resource Data File SV015

1942; Bain, 1946; Rutledge, 1946; Moxham and Nelson, 1952; Twenhofle, 1953; Williams, 1954; Wells and others, 1957; Berg and Cobb, 1967; Cobb, 1972 (MF-397); 

Forbes, 1974; Bird, 1978; MacKevett and others, 1978; Cobb, 1979 (OFR 80-87); Toth, 

1981; Burns, 1985; Foley and Barker, 1985; Foley, 1992.

Primary reference:

Reporter(s): Jeff A. Huber (Anchorage)

Last report date: 03/09/99

Page 36
Alaska Resource Data File SV016

Site name(s): Reef; Anderson; Bluff; Claim Point

Site type: Mine 

ARDFno.: SV016

Latitude: 59.21

Longitude: 151.82

Quadrangle: SV A-5

Location description and accuracy:

These chromite deposits occur on a small peninsula on the northern shore of Port 

Chatham in the SW1/4 of section 21, T. 11 S., R. 15 W., of the Seward Meridian. Most 

of the chromite lens and layers are found on the northeast side of the peninsula near the 

old mill and wharf. This is location 1 of Cobb (1972, MF-397) and is accurate to within 

half a mile.

Commodities:

Main: Cr

Other:

Ore minerals: Chromite 

Gangue minerals:

Geologic description:

The chromite at Claim Point is hosted in dunite that is part of the informally named 

Border Ranges ultramafic and mafic complex of Burns (1985). The Border Ranges complex is Mesozoic in age. The complex is faulted at the base and there are many small 

northeast-trending, high-angle faults which offset the chromite layers. In general, the 

chromite layers strike northeast and dip nearly vertical.

Most of the production in the area has occurred from the Reef mine where the ore body 

strikes S76W with a nearly vertical dip, although some of the chrome layers show much 

local variation in dip and strike. The chromite layer is about 135 feet long and the width 

ranges from three to 35 feet. The chromic oxide content of the ore as shipped, ranged 

from 42 to 49 percent.

Foley and Barker (1985) estimates there is 82,000 metric tons of ore with grades ranging from 5 to 30% chromic oxide.

Alteration:

Serpentization.

Age of mineralization:

Page 37
Alaska Resource Data File SV016

Mesozoic; based on the age of the ultramafic body that hosts the deposit.

Deposit model:

Podiform chromite (Cox and Singer, 1986; model 8a)

Deposit model number (After Cox and Singer, 1986 or Bliss, 1992):

8a

Production Status: Yes; small 

Site Status: Inactive

Workings/exploration:

Production totaled 2,000 metric tons from the Reef and Bluff mines from 1916 to 1918; 

development included a wharf and camp (Gill, 1922). Some drilling occured during WW 

n by the U.S. Bureau of Mines. Anaconda Minerals flew regional airborne geophysics 

over the area in the early 1980's which showed a major magnetic high underlying the 

outer part of Port Chatham (William Ellis, 1999 personal communcation).

Production notes:

There is a little information regarding the mining of this deposit.

Reserves:

There are conflicting estimates of the remaining reserves for this property. Foley (1992, 

p. 38) estimates a total resource of 82,000 metric tons of ore with 17.8% chromic oxide, 

while MacKevett and others (1978, p. 17) estimate a resource of 260,000 tons with!7.8% 

chromic oxide.

Additional comments:

The airborne geophysics suggests the dunite may extend under all of the Claim Point 

peninsula and under Port Chatham.

References:

Grant and Higgins, 1910; Martin and others, 1915; Brooks, 1918; Mertie, 1919; Gill, 

1920; Martin, 1920; Brooks, 1921; Gill, 1922; Guild, 1942; Bain, 1946; Sanford and 

Cole, 1949; Twenhofel, 1953; Berg and Cobb, 1967; Cobb, 1972 (MF-397); Bird, 1977; 

MacKevett and Holloway, 1977; Cobb, 1979 (OFR 80-87); Burns, 1985; Foley and 

Barker, 1985; Foley, 1992.

Primary reference: Gill, 1922 

Reporter(s): Jeff A. Huber (Anchorage) 

Last report date: 03/07/99

Page 38
Alaska Resource Data File SV017

Sitename(s): Rock

Site type: Prospect 

ARDFno.: SV017 

Latitude: 59.221 

Longitude: 151.646

Quadrangle: SVA-5

Location description and accuracy:

The Rock prospect is located on the north flank of Rock Mountain at about 1,100 feet 

of elevation. This is Cobb's (1972, MF-397) location 2 and is accurate to a quarter of a 

mile. Cobb (1979, OFR 80-87) summarized the relevant references under the name Rock.

Commodities:

Main: Cu, Zn

Other:

Ore minerals: Arsenopyrite, chalcopyrite, pyrite, pyrrhotite, sphalerite 

Gangue minerals: Clay, quartz

Geologic description:

The discovery outcrop of the prospect is located on the contact of a graywacke of the 

Cretaceous Valdez Group with a Tertiary granite dike (Cobb, 1979 OFR 80-87). At this 

locality, the vein is 22 to 28 inches in width and strikes N19W with a dip of 60N. About 

150 feet higher and to the south, what appears to be the same vein is exposed in two 

trenches where it is 36 to 44 inches wide. The vein contains quartz, arsenopyrite, chalcopyrite, sphalerite, pyrite, and pyrrhotite, but no precious metals are reported (Martin 

and others, 1915).

Alteration:

Clay selvage along the vein margins.

Age of mineralization:

Tertiary; possibly related to Tertiary granite dike.

Deposit model:

Low-sulfide, Au-quartz vein (Cox and Singer, 1986; model 36a)

Deposit model number (After Cox and Singer, 1986 or Bliss, 1992):

36a

Page 39
Alaska Resource Data File SV017

Production Status: None 

Site Status: Inactive

Workings/exploration:

Minor surface trenches. No assay results are reported.

Production notes:

Reserves:

None.

Additional comments:

References:

Grant and Higgins, 1910; Martin and others, 1915; Berg and Cobb, 1967; Cobb, 1972 

(MF-397); Mackevett and Holloway, 1977; Cobb, 1979 (OFR 80-87).

Primary reference: Martin and others, 1915 

Reporter(s): Jeff A. Huber (Anchorage) 

Last report date: 02/25/99

Page 40
Alaska Resource Data File SV018

Site name(s): Rossness & Larson

Site type: Mine 

ARDFno.: SV018 

Latitude: 59.56 

Longitude: 150.59

Quadrangle: SV C-2

Location description and accuracy:

The Rossness and Larson mine is about 0.2 miles north of VAMB Mid on the north 

shore of the North Arm of Nuka Bay. The property consists of three short adits, numerous open cuts, and the ruins of the mill and camp. Two of the adits are near the beach at 

30 and 50 feet above sea level; they are on each side of a small stream which drains into 

the cove. The third adit is at an elevation of 107 feet and about 250 feet northwest of the 

lower tunnels.

Commodities: 

Main: Au 

Other: Ag

Ore minerals: Arsenopyrite, gold, pyrite 

Gangue minerals: Quartz

Geologic description:

The host rock of the prospect is graywacke and thin slate interbeds of the Cretaceous 

Valdez Group (Richter, 1970). The quartz veins of this prospect consist of white crystalline quartz with various amounts of sulfides. Arsenopyrite is the dominate sulfide with 

minor amounts of pyrite. Gold occurs as free gold and associated with arsenopyrite. The 

veins at this prospect are lens shaped and generally follow the bedding which strikes 

N30W and dips 67S (Pilgrim, 1933). They range from less than one inch to over four feet 

in width.

The southwest adit is 30 feet in length and follows a stockwork of parallel quartz veins. 

The veins range in width from 0.1 to 0.5 foot and strike N30W and dip 67S. A composite 

sample across four of these veins assayed 26 ppm gold (Richter, 1970). The northwest 

adit is caved and appears to have followed a single quartz-arsenopyrite vein that trends 

east-west and dips SOS. Richter (1970) sampled this vein and it contained 0.05 ppm gold. 

The upper adit at 110 foot elevation trends east-west and dips SOS. There are no assay results from this adit.

North of the two adits near the beach, there is a pyritized, light colored dike swarm 

which trends N20W. A sample of this dike swarm contained 0.028 ounces of gold per

Page 41
Alaska Resource Data File SV018

ton(Pilgrim,1933).

Alteration:

Borden and others (1991) report carbonization, sulfidization, sericitization, and silicification of the wall rock adjacent to the veins.

Age of mineralization:

Tertiary; Boden and others (1991) report other veins in the district are about 55 m.y. 

old.

Deposit model:

Low-sulfide, Au-quartz vein (Cox and Singer, 1986; model 36a)

Deposit model number (After Cox and Singer, 1986 or Bliss, 1992):

36a

Production Status: Undetermined. 

Site Status: Inactive

Workings/exploration:

According to Pilgrim, (1933) the mine produced some gold during the 1931-33 period 

but it was inactive during Capps' 1936 visit (Capps, 1938, p. 32). Three adits totaling 170 

feet in length and numerous surface cuts occur on the property. Composite samples by 

Richter (1970) of the southwest veins assayed 26 ppm gold. Samples by Pilgrim (1933) 

assayed between 0.08 and 0.064 ounces of gold and 0.40 ounces of silver per ton. A sample of the pyritic dike assayed 0.028 ounces of gold per ton (Pilgrim, 1933).

Production notes:

Reserves:

None.

Additional comments:

This prospect is within the Kenai Fjords National Park; the park is closed to mineral entry.

References:

Pilgrim, 1933; Capps, 1938; Berg and Cobb, 1967; Richter, 1970; Cobb, 1972 (MF-397); 

MacKevett and Holloway, 1977; Cobb, 1979 (OFR 80-87); Borden and others, 1991.

Primary reference: Pilgrim, 1933 

Reporter(s): Jeff A. Huber (Anchorage) 

Last report date: 02/17/99

Page 42
Alaska Resource Data File SV019

Site name(s): Sonny Fox; Babcock & Downey; Lady Luck

Site type: Mine 

ARDFno.: SV019

Latitude: 59.54

Longitude: 150.47

Quadrangle: SV C-2

Location description and accuracy:

The Sunny Fox mine was the principal gold producer in the Nuka Bay area. The mine 

is located on the west side of Babcock Creek at an elevation of 200 feet. Babcock Creek 

drains into Surprise Bay which is at the West Arm of Nuka Bay. This is Cobb's (1972, 

MF-397) location 28 and Richter's (1970) location 9. Cobb (1972, OFR 80-87) summarized the relevant references under the name Sonny Fox.

Commodities:

Main: Ag, Au, Cu 

Other: Pb, Zn

Ore minerals: Arsenopyrite, chalcopyrite, galena, gold, native copper, native silver, pyrite, 

sphalerite

Gangue minerals: Calcite, quartz

Geologic description:

The host rocks of the prospect are graywacke and slate of the Cretaceous Valdez Group 

(Richter, 1970). Most of the production on the property has come from the Lucky Lady 

Vein which averages about 2 feet thick . The vein strikes generally northeast and dips 

60SE. The vein is white quartz and in parts shows some banding. The most abundant 

sulfide mineral is arsenopyrite, with minor amounts of pyrite, chalcopyrite, sphalerite and 

galena (Richter, 1970). Free gold was also present, often in coarse particles visible to the 

naked eye (Pilgrim, 1933). Over 800 feet of drifts, tunnels, and stopes have been driven 

on this vein. The other vein on the property is lens shaped and contains the same sulfide 

assemblage as the Lucky Lady. The veins are thickest in the more massive graywacke 

units and trend to pinch out in the slate units.

Richter (1970) calculated there are at least 800 feet of workings at the mine site exclusive of raises, stopes and shafts. The mill was a No.l Denver Quartz Mill with a capacity 

of 7 tons per 22 hours. The concentrates ranged in grade from $128.00 per ton to over 

$530 per ton (at $20.67 per ounce gold) and were shipped to the Tacoma smelter 

(Pilgrim, 1933). The mine produced from 1926 to 1940 and production totaled $70,000 

during that time (Richter, 1970).

Page 43
Alaska Resource Data File SV019

Alteration:

Borden and others (1991) report carbonization, sulfidization, sericitization, and silicification of the wall rock adjacent to the veins.

Age of mineralization:

Tertiary; Boden and others (1991) report other veins in the district are about 55 m.y. 

old.

Deposit model:

Low-sulfide, Au-quartz vein (Cox and Singer, 1986; model 36a)

Deposit model number (After Cox and Singer, 1986 or Bliss, 1992):

36a

Production Status: Yes; small 

Site Status: Inactive

Workings/exploration:

Rienter (1970) calculated there are at least 800 feet of workings at the mine site exclusive of raises, stopes and shafts. The mill was a No.l Denver Quartz Mill with a capacity 

of 7 tons per 22 hours. The concentrates ranged in grade from $128.00 per ton to over 

$530 per ton (at $20.67 per ounce gold) and were shipped to the Tacoma smelter 

(Pilgrim, 1933).

Production notes:

The mine produced from 1926 to 1940 and production totaled $70,000 during that time 

(Richter,! 970). The concentrates ranged in grade from $128.00 per ton to over $530 per 

ton and were shipped to the Tacoma smelter (at $20.67 per ounce gold, Pilgrim, 1933).

Reserves:

None.

Additional comments:

References:

Smith, 1930 (B 813); Smith, 1932 (B 824); Pilgrim, 1933; Capps, 1938; Berg and Cobb, 

1967; Richter, 1970; Cobb, 1972 (MF-397); MacKevett and Holloway, 1977; Cobb, 1979 

(OFR 80-87); Borden and others, 1991.

Primary reference: Pilgrim, 1933; Richter, 1970 

Reporter(s): Jeff A. Huber (Anchorage) 

Last report date: 02/16/99

Page 44
Alaska Resource Data File SV020

Site name(s): Tidewater; Skinner

Site type: Prospect 

ARDFno.: SV020 

Latitude: 59.51 

Longitude: 150.48

Quadrangle: SVC-2

Location description and accuracy:

The Tidewater prospect is on the steep, rocky, east shore of Surprise Bay in the southeast corner of the Seldovia C2 quadrangle. Surprise Bay is in the West Arm of Nuka Bay. 

A short adit that was at sea level prior to the 1964 earthquake is now almost completely 

flooded at high tide (Richter, 1970). The adit was 42 feet in length but is less 25 feet long 

now due to wave action. This is Cobb's (1972, MF-397) location 27 and Richter's (1970) 

location 10. Cobb (1972, OFR 80-87) summarized the relevant references under the 

name Tidewater.

Commodities:

Main: Au

Other:

Ore minerals: Arsenopyrite, gold 

Gangue minerals: Quartz

Geologic description:

The prospect is in graywacke and interbedded slate of the Cretaceous Valdez Group 

(Richter, 1970). Prior to 1931, a 41 foot adit was driven on a vein that strikes N80E and 

dips 72S. The vein consists of a half-foot of sheeted quartz with scattered lens of arsenopyrite along the footwall and as much as four feet of barren quartz stockwork in the hanging wall. The country rock along the hanging wall is a graywacke that was brecciated 

prior to the introduction of the quartz stockwork. Assay values ranged from $38.90 to 

$18.00 per ton with gold at $20.67 per ounce (Pilgrim, 1933).

Alteration:

None reported although, Borden and others (1991) report other veins in the Nuka Bay 

district show carbonization, sulfidization, sericitization, and silicification of the wall rock 

adjacent to the veins.

Age of mineralization:

Tertiary; Boden and others (1991) report other veins in the district are about 55 m.y.

Page 45
Alaska Resource Data File SV020

old.

Deposit model:

Low-sulfide, Au-quartz vein (Cox and Singer, 1986; model 36a)

Deposit model number (After Cox and Singer, 1986 or Bliss, 1992):

36a

Production Status: None 

Site Status: Inactive

Workings/exploration:

A 41 foot adit was driven in the 1930's. Richter (1970) took a single channel sample 

across the vein in the face of the drift, that assayed 6.5 ppm gold.

Production notes:

Probably none.

Reserves:

None.

Additional comments:

References:

Pilgrim, 1933; Cobb, 1972 (MF-397); Richter, 1970; MacKevett and Holloway, 1977; 

Cobb, 1979 (OFR 80-87); Borden and others, 1991.

Primary reference: Richter, 1970; Pilgrim, 1933 

Reporter(s): Jeff A. Huber (Anchorage) 

Last report date: 02/18/99

Page 46
Alaska Resource Data File SV021

Site name(s): Unnamed (in Port Dick)

Site type: Prospect 

ARDFno.: SV021

Latitude: 59.313

Longitude: 151.357

Quadrangle: SVB-4

Location description and accuracy:

The prospects are about a mile and a quarter west of the head of Port Dick in the NW 

1/4 section 17, T. 10 S., R. 12 W., of the Seward Meridian, and the NE 1/4 of section 18, 

T. 10 S., R. 12 W., of the Seward Meridian. The lower adit is about 200 feet above sea 

level, and the upper adit is about 500 feet above sea level. This is Cobb's (1972, MF-397) 

location 14. This location is accurate within a quarter of a mile.

Commodities: 

Main: Au

Other: Ag, Cu, Zn

Ore minerals: Arsenopyrite, chacopyrite, gold, pyrite, sphalerite 

Gangue minerals: Quartz

Geologic description:

The country rock at the head of the West Arm of Port Dick is hornfelsed graywacke and 

greenstones of the Cretaceous Valdez Group that have been intruded by fine-grained biotite granite dikes of Tertiary age (MacKevett and Holloway, 1978). The quartz veins are 

nearly vertical and cut both the granite dikes and the graywacke. The lower prospect is at 

about 200 feet of elevation where an adit 140 feet long was driven on a vein that strikes 

N54W and dips 75 to 85N. The vein ranges from 6 to 20 inches in width and averages 15 

inches thick. The vein consists of quartz with segregations of arsenopyrite and pyrite that 

give the vein a banded appearance. The upper vein at an elevation of about 500 feet is 

about 500 feet to the south. It is about 24 inches thick. An adit 310 feet long has been 

driven N69W along strike on the vein. The upper vein is similar to the lower vein and 

contains traces of sphalerite and small fractures filled with calcite. The wall rock is a 

fine-grained granite (Brooks, 1909).

Alteration:

None reported.

Age of mineralization:

Page 47
Alaska Resource Data File SV021

Tertiary; veins cut Tertiary granite dikes.

Deposit model:

Low-sulfide, Au-quartz vein (Cox and Singer, 1986; model 36a)

Deposit model number (After Cox and Singer, 1986 or Bliss, 1992):

36a

Production Status: None 

Site Status: Inactive

Workings/exploration:

Several hundred feet of tunnels were driven in 1899, and 1904 through 1907 by the 

Alaska Commercial Company. A grab sample provided to Brooks (1909) assayed at 

0.123 ounces of gold and 1.32 ounces of silver per ton. There is no reported production 

from this location.

Production notes:

None reported.

Reserves:

None reported.

Additional comments:

This prospect is within Kachemak Bay State Wilderness Park; the area is withdrawn 

from mineral entry.

References:

Brooks, 1909; Martin and others, 1915; Berg and Cobb, 1967; MacKevett and Holloway, 

1977; Cobb, 1972 (MF-397); Cobb, 1979 (OFR 80-87).

Primary reference: Brooks, 1909 

Reporter(s): Jeff A. Huber (Anchorage) 

Last report date: 02/03/99

Page 48
Alaska Resource Data File SV022

Site name(s): Kusturin and Johnson

Site type: Occurrence 

ARDFno.: SV022

Latitude: 59.62

Longitude: 150.18

Quadrangle: SVC-1

Location description and accuracy:

The occurrence overlooks Taroka Arm and is on the south flank of Hill 3835 at about 

1,300 feet in elevation . Taroka Arm is the southeastern arm of Two Arm Bay. This is 

MacKevett and Holloway's (1977) location 20 and is accurate to within half a mile.

Commodities:

Main: Au

Other:

Ore minerals: Chalcopyrite, gold, pyrite 

Gangue minerals: Quartz

Geologic description:

Three, quartz-pyrite veins intrude Cretacous Valdez Group graywacke and slate 

(MacKevett and Holloway, 1977). The veins are 2 to 6 feet thick. Martin and others 

(1915) visited one of the veins that strikes N27E and dips 40W. It was 71 inches thick 

and contained pyrite, chalcopyrite, and graphite. No assay results are reported.

Alteration:

None reported.

Age of mineralization:

Cretaceous or younger; the veins cut Cretaceous graywacke.

Deposit model:

Low-sulfide, Au-quartz vein (Cox and Singer, 1986; model 36a)

Deposit model number (After Cox and Singer, 1986 or Bliss, 1992):

36a

Production Status: Undetermined.

Page 49
Alaska Resource Data File SV022

Site Status: Inactive

Workings/exploration:

Some minor stripping was reported by Martin and others (1915).

Production notes:

No production is known.

Reserves:

None reported.

Additional comments:

This prospect is within Kenai Fjords National Park; the area is closed to mineral entry.

References:

Grant and Higgins, 1910; Martin and others, 1915; Berg and Cobb, 1967; Cobb, 1972 

(MF-397); MacKevett and Holloway, 1977; Cobb, 1979 (OFR 80-87).

Primary reference: Martin and others, 1915 

Reporter(s): Jeff A. Huber (Anchorage) 

Last report date: 03/09/99

Page 50
Alaska Resource Data File SV023

Site name(s): Nukalaska; Honolulu Group 

Site type: Mine 

ARDFno.: SV023

Latitude: 59.509

Longitude: 150.667

Quadrangle: SVC-2

Location description and accuracy:

The Nukalaska mine is on a precipitous north-facing slope below peak 2560 in the 

southwest part of the Seldovia C-2 quadrangle. The mine's camp was located on Sunny 

Cove, an embayment on the west arm of Nuka Bay. From the camp, a road was driven 1 

1/4 miles to the mill site at an approximate elevation of 600 feet. The mill site was the 

terminus of an aerial tramway which rose 1,800 feet to the mine's portal about 235 feet 

north and 200 feet below the discovery outcrop. This Cobb's (1972, MF-397) location 17 

and Richter's location 1. This location is accurate to within 300 feet.

Commodities: 

Main: Au

Other: Ag, Cu, Te?

Ore minerals: Arsenopyrite, chacopyrite, chalcocite, covellite, galena, gold, sylvanite?, tetrahedrite

Gangue minerals: Quartz

Geologic description:

The host rocks of the mine are slate and graywacke of the Cretaceous Valdez Group 

that have been cut by quartz diorite dikes of Tertiary age (Richter, 1970). The deposit 

consists of a 10- to 18-inch-thick banded quartz vein that occurs along the footwall of a 

12-foot-thick quartz diorite dike. The vein is younger than the dike; low-grade veinlets 

that divert into the dike are common. The vein strikes almost due east at a right angle to 

the graywacke country rock and dips SOS. The ore consists of somewhat banded quartz 

with free gold, arsenopyrite, pyrite, galena, and chacopyrite. Microscopic examination 

by Yewell (Capp,1938) also identified tetrahedrite, chalcocite, and covellite. The gold appears to be localized within high-grade shoots within the vein.

From the top of the tramway the main haulage drift was driven 235 feet to intersect the 

vein. Two drifts were driven both east and west along the vein. The east drift was driven 

200 feet but no significant mineralization was encountered. All the production came from 

the west drift. In 1936, the west stope was 140 feet long and 80 feet high along the 12- to 

18-inch-wide vein. Concentrates from this stope carried 21 to 51 ounces of gold per ton;

Page 51
Alaska Resource Data File SV023

even though two-thirds of the mill feed was wall rock (Capps, 1938).

Alteration:

None reported although Borden and others (1991) report other veins in the Nuka Bay 

district show carbonization, sulfidization, sericitization, and silicification of the wall rock 

adjacent to the veins.

Age of mineralization:

Tertiary; Boden and others (1991) report other veins in the district are about 55 m.y. 

old.

Deposit model:

Low-sulfide, Au-quartz vein (Cox and Singer, 1986; model 36a)

Deposit model number (After Cox and Singer, 1986 or Bliss, 1992):

36a

Production Status: Yes; small 

Site Status: Inactive

Workings/exploration:

The mine was discovered in 1926 and developed in 1934-35. It produced from 1935 to 

1940. In 1936, the west stope was 140 feet long and 80 feet high along the 12- to 18- 

inch-wide vein. Concentrates from this stope carried 21 to 51 ounces of gold per ton; 

even though two-thirds of the mill feed was wall rock. (Capps, 1938). A fire in 1938 and 

snow slides in 1939 hampered mining. World War II closed the mine in 1942 and an attempt to reopen the mine after the war failed (Richter, 1970).

Production notes:

The gold occurred in very high-grade shoots. Ore mined in 1936 yielded $100 per ton 

($35 per ounce gold) even though two-thirds of the mill feed was country rock (Capps, 

1938, p.27-29). The total production for this mine is unknown.

Reserves:

None reported.

Additional comments:

This mine is within Kenai Fjords National Park; the area is closed to mineral entry.

References:

Capps, 1938; Smith, 1939 (B 910-A); Smith, 1941 (B 926-A); Berg andCobb, 1967; 

Richter, 1970; MacKevett and Holloway, 1977; Cobb, 1979 (OFR 80-87); Borden and 

others, 1991.

Primary reference: Capps, 1938; Richter, 1970

Page 52
Alaska Resource Data File SV023

Reporter(s): Jeff A. Huber (Anchorage) 

Last report date: 02/02/99

Page 53
Alaska Resource Data File SV024

Site name(s): Morris, Sheridan, Kupper, and Lee 

Site type: Occurrence 

ARDFno.: SV024

Latitude: 59.57

Longitude: 150.39

Quadrangle: SV C-2

Location description and accuracy:

Large pieces of quartz-chalcopyrite bearing float have been found on the east shore of 

James Lagoon, within the east arm of Nuka Bay. This is Cobb's (1972, MF-397) location 

32. This location is accurate to within half a mile.

Commodities:

Main: Cu

Other:

Ore minerals: Chalcopyrite 

Gangue minerals: Quartz

Geologic description:

Pieces of quartz float up to five feet in diameter containing chacopyrite have been 

found. Bedrock in this area is Cretaceous Valdez Group graywacke and slate, that has 

been intruded by Tertiary granitic dikes. (Cobb, 1979, OFR 80-87).

Alteration:

None reported.

Age of mineralization:

Deposit model:

Insufficient information to classify

Deposit model number (After Cox and Singer, 1986 or Bliss, 1992): 

Production Status: None 

Site Status: Inactive 

Workings/exploration:

Page 54
Alaska Resource Data File SV024

Martin and others (1915) report little physical exploration. 

Production notes:

Reserves:

None reported.

Additional comments:

This occurrence is within Kenai Fjords National Park; the area is closed to mineral entry.

References:

Grant and Higgins, 1910; Martin and others, 1915; Cobb, 1972 (MF-397); Cobb, 1979 

(OFR-80-87).

Primary reference: Cobb, 1979 

Reporter(s): Jeff A. Huber (Anchorage) 

Last report date: 02/04/99

Page 55
Alaska Resource Data File SV025

Site name(s): Windy River 

Site type: Prospect 

ARDFno.: SV025 

Latitude: 59.39 

Longitude: 151.48

Quadrangle: SVB-5

Location description and accuracy:

The deposit is a placer in Windy River. Windy River flows from Red Mountain and 

drains into Jakolof Creek which drains into Jakolof Bay. Access to the prospect is by 

road from Seldovia to Red Mountain. The prospect starts at the base of Red Mountain 

and runs for 2 .5 miles northeast through a U-shaped valley. The deposit is approximately 0.25 miles wide and ranges from 55 to 72 feet thick (Foley and Barker, 1985).

Commodities:

Main: Cr

Other:

Ore minerals: Chromite 

Gangue minerals:

Geologic description:

Bedrock in the drainage is McHugh Formation slate and graywacke. A joint study by 

Anaconda Minerals and the U.S. Bureau of Mines indicates there are 20,920,000 yards of 

sand and gravel that contain 1.33% chromic oxide per yard (Foley and Barker, 1985). 

The deposit is approximately 2.5 miles long, 0.25 mile wide and varies from 55 to 72 feet 

thick. Within the mineralized area, Windy River flows as a perennial meandering stream 

with a gradient of 120 feet per mile.

Examination of the drill logs and assay results shows that the chromite is disseminated 

throughout the gravels and not concentrated on bedrock. Barren overburden, defined as 

containing less than 1 % chromic oxide ranges from less than 3 feet to over 30 feet thick 

with an average of six feet. To date no production has occurred from this drainage.

Alteration:

None.

Age of mineralization:

Quaternary.

Page 56
Alaska Resource Data File SV025

Deposit model:

Placer Cr

Deposit model number (After Cox and Singer, 1986 or Bliss, 1992): 

Production Status: 

Site Status: Inactive

Workings/exploration:

Anaconda Minerals and the US Bureau of Mines cooperatively did surface mapping, 

seismic profiles, bulk sampling and drilled reverse circulation drill holes in 1982 (Foley 

and Barker, 1985). During World War II, Rutledge (1946) investigated the placers 

around the headwaters of Windy River and down slope from the Turner Stringer zone.

Production notes:

Reserves:

The reserves are 20,920,000 cubic yards with an average grade of 1.33% chromic oxide 

per yard (Foley and Barker, 1985).

Additional comments:

References:

Guild, 1942; Rutledge, 1946; Foley and Barker, 1985.

Primary reference: Foley, 1985 

Reporter(s): Jeff A. Huber (Anchorage) 

Last report date: 02/22/99

Page 57
Alaska Resource Data File SV026

Site name(s): Unnamed (onTwo Arm Bay)

Site type: Occurrence 

ARDFno.: SV026

Latitude: 59.69

Longitude: 150.13

Quadrangle: SVC-1

Location description and accuracy:

The occurrence is located near VABM Beach at the head of Paguna Bay, which is the 

east arm of Two Arm Bay. This location is accurate to within one mile.

Commodities:

Main: Au

Other:

Ore minerals: Gold 

Gangue minerals: Quartz

Geologic description:

A few small apparently barren quartz veins and auriferous granite dikes cut slate and 

graywacke of the Cretaceous Valdez Group (Cobb, 1979, OFR 80-87). A sample of granite assayed $1.80 gold per ton, at $20.67 per ounce gold (Grant and Higgins, 1910).

Alteration:

None reported.

Age of mineralization:

Cretaceous or younger; veins cut and dike cuts Cretaceous graywacke.

Deposit model:

Low-sulfide, Au-quartz vein (Cox and Singer, 1986; model 36a)

Deposit model number (After Cox and Singer, 1986 or Bliss, 1992):

36a

Production Status: None 

Site Status: Inactive

Page 58
Alaska Resource Data File SV026

Workings/exploration:

None reported.

Production notes:

Reserves:

None.

Additional comments:

This prospect is within Kenai Fjords National Park; the area is now closed to mineral 

entry.

References:

Grant and Higgins, 1910; Martin and others, 1915; Berg and Cobb, 1967; Cobb, 1972 

(MF-397); MacKevett and Holloway, 1977; Cobb, 1979 (OFR 80-87).

Primary reference: Martin and others, 1915 

Reporter(s): Jeff A. Huber (Anchorage) 

Last report date: 04/05/99

Page 59
Alaska Resource Data File SV027

Site name(s): Unnamed (near Shelter Cove) 

Site type: Occurrences 

ARDFno.: SV027

Latitude: 59.523

Longitude: 150.623

Quadrangle: SV C-2

Location description and accuracy:

Two occurrences are located on the southeast shore of West Arm of Nuka Bay, near the 

mouth of Beauty Bay. Both occurrences are exposed on the sea cliff. The northern most 

exposure is a two-foot-wide vein which strikes N80E. The southern occurrence is about 

0.3 miles south of the northern exposure and consists of a four-foot-wide zone of quartz 

and fractured graywacke. This is Cobb's (1972, MF-397) location 18 and Richter's (1970) 

locations 11 and 12. This location is accurate to within a quarter of a mile.

Commodities:

Main: Au

Other:

Ore minerals: Arsenopyrite, gold, pyrite 

Gangue minerals: Quartz

Geologic description:

Both occurrences are in massive graywacke of the Cretaceous Valdez Group (Richter, 

1970). The northern most exposure is a two-foot-wide quartz-arsenopyrite vein that 

strikes N80E. and dips vertically. The vein has a thin clay gouge zone in the center and 

along the hanging wall margin. A single channel sample assayed 0.02 ppm gold (Richter, 

1970).

The southern occurrence is a four-foot-wide zone of fractured graywacke with quartzarsenopyrite lens that varies from 0.5- to 2-feet-thick. A two foot channel sample taken 

across the widest part of the mineralization contained 0.062 ppm gold (Richter, 1970).

Alteration:

Clay gouge occurs in the center of the vein and along hanging wall of northern occurrence.

Age of mineralization:

Tertiary; Boden and others (1991) report other veins in the district are about 55 m.y. 

old.

Page 60
Alaska Resource Data File SV027

Deposit model:

Low-sulfide, Au-quartz vein (Cox and Singer, 1986; model 36a)

Deposit model number (After Cox and Singer, 1986 or Bliss, 1992):

36a

Production Status: None 

Site Status: Inactive

Workings/exploration:

Samples from the southern occurrence assayed 0.62 ppm gold and from the northern occurrence assayed 0.028 ppm gold (Richter, 1970).

Production notes:

Reserves:

None reported.

Additional comments:

This prospect is within Kenai Fjords National Park, the area is now closed to mineral 

entry.

References:

Pilgrim, 1933; Richter, 1970; Cobb, 1972 (MF-397); Cobb, 1979 (OFR 80-87).

Primary reference: Richter, 1970 

Reporter(s): Jeff A. Huber (Anchorage) 

Last report date: 03/09/99

Page 61
Alaska Resource Data File SV028

Quadrangle: SVB-5

Site name(s): Alley

Site type: Occurrence 

ARDFno.: SV028 

Latitude: 59.33

Longitude: 151.73

Location description and accuracy:

The occurrence is located on the southwest side of Hill 2402 overlooking Port Graham 

in section 1, T. 10 S., R. 15 W., of the Seward Meridian. This location is accurate to 

within half a mile.

Commodities:

Main: Au

Other:

Ore minerals: Gold 

Gangue minerals: Quartz

Geologic description:

Thin quartz veinlets with in fractured cherts of the Triassic Kamishak Formation. One 

sample is reported to assay $6.00 a ton gold with gold selling for $20.67 per ounce 

(Martin and others, 1915).

Alteration:

None reported.

Age of mineralization:

Triassic or younger; veinlets cut Triassic sedimentary rocks.

Deposit model:

Insufficient data to classify

Deposit model number (After Cox and Singer, 1986 or Bliss, 1992): 

Production Status: None 

Site Status: Inactive

Page 62
Alaska Resource Data File SV028

Workings/exploration:

Martin and others (1915) report a single sample that assayed $6.00 in gold per ton at 

$20.67 per ounce gold.

Production notes:

Reserves:

None reported.

Additional comments:

References:

Grant and Higgins, 1910; Martin and others, 1915; Berg and Cobb, 1967; Cobb, 1979 

(OFR 80-87).

Primary reference: Cobb, 1979 (OFR 80-87) 

Reporter(s): Jeff A. Huber (Anchorage) 

Last report date: 03/27/99

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Alaska Resource Data File SV029

Site name(s): Unnamed (near the Seldovia airport)

Site type: Occurrence 

ARDFno.: SV029

Latitude: 59.44 

Longitude: 151.69

Quadrangle: SVB-5

Location description and accuracy:

The occurrence is near the Seldovia Airport. This location is accurate to within one 

mile.

Commodities:

Main: Graphite

Other:

Ore minerals: Graphite 

Gangue minerals:

Geologic description:

Martin (1920) reports some work was done at a graphite prospect at Seldovia. Cobb 

(1979, OFR 80-87) reports seeing some graphite in a roadcut near the airport. These are 

the only references to the occurrence.

Alteration:

None reported.

Age of mineralization:

Deposit model:

Insufficient data to classify

Deposit model number (After Cox and Singer, 1986 or Bliss, 1992): 

Production Status: None 

Site Status: Inactive

Workings/exploration:

None reported.

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Alaska Resource Data File SV029

Production notes:

Reserves:

None reported.

Additional comments:

References:

Martin, 1920; Cobb, 1979 (OFR 80-87).

Primary reference: Cobb, 1979 (OFR 80-87) 

Reporter(s): Jeff A. Huber (Anchorage) 

Last report date: 03/28/99

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Alaska Resource Data File SV030

Site name(s): Snow 

Site type: Occurrence 

ARDFno.: SV030 

Latitude: 59.348 

Longitude: 151.659

Quadrangle: SVB-5

Location description and accuracy:

The occurrence is located on the southwest side of the Seldovia River valley within the 

SW1/4 of section 33, T. 9 S., R. 14 W., of the Seward Meridian. This location is accurate 

to within a quarter of a mile.

Commodities:

Main: Cr

Other:

Ore minerals: Chromite 

Gangue minerals: Olivine

Geologic description:

Thin lens and pods of chromite within in a klippe of the informally named Border 

Ranges mafic and ultramafic complex of Burns (1985). Overall the klippe is about 2 

square miles in size and is composed of mostly of hartzbergites and pyroxenites with minor amounts of dunite (Bill Ellis, personal communication, 1999). Chromite is found 

within the dunite layers as thin layers, lens and pods.

Alteration:

Serpentization.

Age of mineralization:

Jurassic.

Deposit model:

Podiform chromite (Cox and Singer, 1986; model 8b)

Deposit model number (After Cox and Singer, 1986 or Bliss, 1992):

8b

Production Status: None

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Alaska Resource Data File SV030

Site Status: Inactive

Workings/exploration:

Anaconda minerals discovered the occurrence in 1982 as part of a regional exploration 

program on the Kenai Peninsula. Work included airborne geophysics, stream and soil 

geochemistry, minor hand trenching and rock chip samples. Selected samples assayed up 

to 35% chromic oxide (William Ellis, personal communcation, 1999).

Production notes:

Reserves:

None.

Additional comments:

References:

This description.

Primary reference: This description 

Reporter(s): Jeff A. Huber (Anchorage) 

Last report date: 04/14/99

Page 67
Alaska Resource Data File References

References

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152.

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U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 1058-F, p. 217-260.

Berg, H.C., and Cobb, E.H., 1967, Metalliferous lode deposits of Alaska: U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 1246, 

254 p.

Bird, M.L., 1977, Electron-microprobe analyses of chromite and olivine from alpine ultramafic complexes: U.S. 

Geological Survey Open-file Report 77-236, 69 p.

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some genetic implications: U.S. Geological Survey Open-file Report 78-119, 53 p.

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Brooks, A.H., 1909, The mining industry in 1908: U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 379, p. 21-62. 

Brooks, A.H., 1912, The mining industry in 1911: U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 520, p. 17-44. 

Brooks, A.H., 1918, The Alaskan mining industry in 1916: U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 662, p. 11-62. 

Brooks, A.H., 1921, The future of Alaska mining: U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 714, p. 5-57.

Burns, L.E., 1985, The Border Range ultramafic and mafic complex, southcentral Alaska: Cumlative fractionates 

of island-arc volcanics: Canadian Journal of Earth Science, v. 22, p.1020-1038.

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Miscellaneous Field Studies Map MF-397, 1 sheet, scale 1:250,000.

Cobb, E.H., 1973, Placer deposits of Alaska: U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 1374, 213 p.

Cobb, E.H., 1979, Summary of references to mineral occurrences (other than minerals fuels and construction materials) in the Seldovia quadrangle, Alaska: U.S. Geological Survey Open-file Report 80-87, 47 p.

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Investigation and descriptions of chromite deposits: U.S. Bureau of Mines Information Circular 8990,

Page 68
Alaska Resource Data File References

49 p.

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139-175.

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1 sheet + 99 p. tabular material, scale 1:1,000,000.

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resource potential of southern Alaska: U.S. Geological Survey Open-file Report 78-1-E, 45 p. + maps, 

scale 1:1,000,000.

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Martin, G.C., and others, 1915, Geology and mineral resources of Kenai Peninsula, Alaska: U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 587, 243 p.

Mertie, J.B., Jr., 1919, Chromite deposits in Alaska: U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 692, p. 265-267. 

Moffit, F.H., 1906, Gold fields of the Turnagain Arm region: U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 277, p. 7-52. 

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Moxham, R.M., and Nelson, A.E., 1952, Reconnaissance for radioactive deposits in the southern Cook Inlet region, Alaska, 1949: U.S. Geological Survey Circular 207, 7 p.

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39, p. 2

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Page 69
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Richter, D.H., 1970, Geology and lode-gold deposits of the Nuka Bay area, Kenai Peninsula, 

Alaska: U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 625-B, p. B1-B16.

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Smith, P.S., 1932, Mineral industry of Alaska in 1929: U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 824, p. 1-81. 

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Smith, P.S., 1936, Mineral industry of Alaska in 1934: U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 868-A, p. 1-91. 

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