mouth a shaft passed through 69 ft of gravel and slide rock and 24 ft of
clay; probably an old channel. Gravel may average about $2 in gold (at
$20.67) per yd3. Mining, 1900-07.

(Penny Cr., trib. Iron Cr.) Gold
Kougarok district Solomon (3.1, 15.35)
MF-445, loc. 41 64°52'N, 164°35'W

Was placer gold mining before 1908. Gravels shallow.

(Penny Cr., trib. Solomon R.) Copper, Gold, Silver
Nome district Solomon (4.65-4.8, 11.25-11.65)
MF-445, loc. 94 64938'-64°940'N, 164922'-164923'W

Bedrock in upper and lower parts of course is schist; limestone between;
crosses broad terrace of Solomon R. A little sporadic small-scale placer
mining, 1900 to as recently as 1934. Much of gold in broken limestone and
in clay layer immediately above it. Near head limestone separated from
schist by a fault along which there has been considerable silicification;
a few disseminated copper minerals (mainly malachite). Samples contained
0.2-0.08 oz gold and 0.02-0.04 oz silver per ton.

(Post Cr.) Gold
Council district Solomon (7.6, 17.5)
MF-445, loc. 11 . 64°00'N, 163°59'W

Silicified zone reported to be about 8 ft thick at contact between schist
and limestone and to contain free gold. Panning of crushed material said
to have indicated about 1.7 oz gold per ton.

(Problem Gulch) Gold
Nome district Solomon (4.0, 11.35)
MF-445, loc. 86 64°39'N, 164°28'W

Bedrock mica schist. In creek 2-3 ft of gravel and top 2 ft of disin-
tegrated schist were mined. Bench gravels on both sides of creek carry
gold. Placer mining (not continuous), 1900-16.

(Puckmummie Cr.) Gold
Council district Solomon (6.9, 16.85)
MF-445, loc. 71 64°57'N, 164904'W

Colors of gold widely distributed, but no pay gravels discovered. Gravels
2-3 ft thick and largely of local derivation except near mouth where
gravels of Niukluk R. are being reworked.

(Puzzle Gulch) Gold
Nome district Solomon (4.2, 11.4)
MF-445, loc. 86 64939'N, 164°27'W

Was placer mining in early 1900's. Gold very coarse; some pieces with
attached quartz; some wire gold; of local origin.

A19


1910. Includes reference to (Hobo Gulch).

(Hilliard Cr.) Gold(?)
Kougarok district Solomon (2.2, 15.95) approx.

64954'N, 164°43'W approx.

Ground was staked, but no valuable placer deposit was found. Creek not
shown on available maps; may by the stream shown as Pajaro Cr. on pl. X,
Smith, 1909 (B 379) or the one called Rapid Cr. in Smith, 1907 (B 314),
p- 163.

(Independence Cr.) Gold(?)
Kougarok district Solomon (1.6, 14.9) approx.

64°51'N, 164939'W approx.
Was a little work before 1909. Results discouraging. May not have been
any gold.
(lowa Cr.) Gold(?)

Council district Solomon (5.4, 14.0) approx.
64°42'N, 164917'W approx.

Prospect pits and claim stakes, 1907. No mention of the presence of gold.
Practically no water in creek. Called Mud Cr. on modern maps.

(Iron Cr.) Copper, Gold, Mercury
Kougarok district Solomon (2.15-3.1, 15.25-16.95)
MF-445, locs. 4, 33 64°52'-64°58'N, 164935'-164943 'W

Various segments of stream known by different names. Country rock is
schist and thrust plates of limestone. Several copper deposits (mainly
malachite stains, but a few sulfides also) insilicified limestone near
base of thrust plates or, locally, near irregular masses of chloritic
schist in thrust plates. In general, stream gravels were not rich, but
were pretty thoroughly worked over, 1900-14 and 1938-40. Area accounted
for probably 10% of the6,872 kg of gold and 300 kg of silver recorded for
the Kougarok district. Cinnabar in concentrates. Auriferous quartz vein
(said to carry about 0.58 oz gold per ton) found 2 mi above mouth; no re-
port of any development. Dredge worked for 2 or more years beginning in
1939, but most mining was small scale. Includes references to: (Dome
Cr.), (Telegram Cr.), (Telegraph Cr.). See also (Dome Cr., Left Fork).

(IXL Gulch) Gold
Council district Solomon (9.05, 13.9)
MF-445, loc. 113 64°47'N, 163°48'W

Bedrock is schist underlain by limestone (probably a lens). Sporadic
small-scale placer gold mining, 1903-13

(Jerome Cr.) Gold

A13


Kougarok district Solomon (3.0, 15.4)
MF-445, loc. 40 64°52'N, 164°36'W

Shallow gold placer; probably worked out by 1908.

(Shovel Cr.) Gold
Nome district Solomon (4.3-4.6, 11.1-11.8)
MF-445, loc. 90 64°38 '-64940'N, 164923 '-164926'W

Thin but wide pay streak mined, mainly by dredges, from about 1907 to
1928. Total production (probably including some from tributaries) was
probably about 20,000 fine oz of gold. Bedrock limestone, slate, and
schist; placer gold penetrated crevices in schist for 2-3 ft.

(Sidney Cr.) Gold(?)

Kougarok district Solomon (2.2, 15.95) approx.
64°54'N, 164°43'W approx.

Ground was staked and some work done. Map (Smith, 1909 (B 379), pl. X)
indicates presence of auriferous gravel, but there is no text statement
that gold is present.

Silver Gold, Silver, Tungsten
Nome district Solomon (5.45, 11.65)
MF-445, loc. 16 64°40'N, 164°17'W

At least 2 quartz veins varying from ¥ to 3 ft thick in quartzitic black
slate, which grades into micaceous schist or phyllite. Veins contain as
much as 1.48 oz gold and 0.70 oz silver per ton (one sample from dump
contained 2.2 oz gold per ton and a little scheelite. Arsenopyrite in a
green chloritic rock on dump and in vein. Work on prospect was in early
1900's and in 1930's; inclined shaft, possibly as much as 800 ft of work-
ings off of it, and many surface pits and trenches. Mill installed some
time after 1938; no data on its operation. Includes references to Flynn.

(Slate Cr.) Gold

Kougarok district Solomon (1.1-1.15, 15.75-15.9)
MF-445, locs. 1, 25 64°54'N, 164°51'N

Country rock is greenstone cut by altered dikes, at least one of which
contains a quartz-calcite stockwork with a little free gold. Placer
gold (probably only a few thousand dollars worth) mined from creek gravel
in early 1900's. Gold probably derived from lodes like that described
above. Colors of gold in bench gravels between Slate and Willow Creeks.
Includes references to Osmun.

(Solomon R.) Gold, Silver, Tungsten
Nome district Solomon (4.5-5.4, 10.3-13.1)
MF-445, locs. 97, 99, 101 64°35'-64°45'N, 164°17'-164°24'W

Basin underlain mainly by schist and limestone, in some (possibly most)
places in fault contact (schist as used in reports listed in Part B in-
cludes Hurrah slate of early workers and York Slate of Sainbury). First

A23


(Ben Gulch) Gold(?)

Council district Solomon (6.05, 16.85)
64°57'N, 164°11'W

Gulch which was staked for placer gold and on which a little work was
done. No data on results.

€Benson Cr.) Copper, Gold, Silver
Kougarok district Solomon (2.3-2.7, 16.0-16.1)
MF-445, locs. 6, 36 64°55'N, 164938'-164942'W

Bedrock is limestone and schist. Near head mineralized zones in closely
folded silicified limestone contain banded copper "ore" consisting of
malachite, chalcopyrite, quartz, and iron oxides; contains as much as
0.04 oz gold and 0.2 oz silver per ton; drift driven along "ore" zone,
1920 or earlier. Bench gravels in most of valley; creek cut through them
and reconcentrated gold from them; much of gold probably from lode sources
in schist bands in limestone. Placer gold mining, probably all small
scale, from 1900 to as recently as 1938.

(Big Four Cr.) Gold
Council district Solomon (6.2, 16.0)
MF-445, loc. 68 64°54'N, 164°10'W

Bedrock in basin includes schist, greenstone, slate, and limestone. Bed-
rock not reached where mined 4 mi above mouth. Gold on clay layers in
gravel. Assessment work and small-scale placer mining, 1906-07.

Big Hurrah Gold, Silver, Tungsten
Nome district Solomon (5.8, 11.45)
MF-445, loc. 19 64°39'N, 164°14'W

Major productive lode gold mine on Seward Peninsula. Mining about 1900-07,
tailings cyanided in 1950-51, and a little more mining in 1953-54. Mine
closed because of fire damage and unstable ground. Workings consisted of
an inclined shaft and several hundred feet of drifts; had mill. Total pro-
duction probably was about 10,000 fine oz of gold. Deposit consists of
quartz fissure veins in shear zones in siliceous black slate (Hurrah slate
of old reports; York Slate of Sainsbury); veins 4-8 ft thick and several
hundred feet long; gold in massive quartz veins, in ribbon rock (alternate
laminae of quartz and slate), and irregular quartz veinlets in slate. Ore
mined averaged alittle less than one ounce of gold per ton; about 6 oz of
silver per ounce of gold; probably about 0.25% scheelite in ore; sulfides
absent except for a little pyrite (one report mentions chalcopyrite, pyrr-
hotite, and stibnite; may have been from general area rather than from the
mine). Reserves estimated at about 105,000 metric tons containing about
22 g per ton gold and 11 g per ton silver. About 50,000 tons average 0.08
to 0.16 percent W. Includes reference to Hurrah. See also (Big Hurrah
Cr.).

A4


(Quartz Cr., trib. Goose Cr.) Gols

Council district Solomon (5.2, 15.65)
MF-445, loc. 59 64°53'N, 164°18'W

At site of mining (near confluence with Goose Cr.) bedrock is schist;
limestone farther upstream. Gold coarse, some with attached quartz.
Much garnet and magnetite in concentrates. Gold on bedrock and 2 ft
into crevices in schist. Mining, 1900 to 1907 or 1908.

(Quartz Cr., trib. Solomon R.) Gold
Nome district Solomon (5.0, 11.4)
MF-445, loc. 101 64°39'N, 164°20'W

Mining near mouth in bench gravels of Solomon R., 1907-08.

Quig(g) ley Antimony
Nome district Solomon (5.4, 11.5)
MF-445, loc. 17 64939'N, 164°17'W

Lens of nearly pure stibnite as much as 18 in thick in a quartz vein 4
ft thick in black slate. Other smaller concentrations of stibnite in
vein. Explored by a 12-ft shaft and several trenches. 4 tons of ore
shipped in 1914. Includes references to: Gray Eagle, (Last Chance Cr.,
trib. Big Hurrah Cr.).

(Rabbit Cr., trib. Iron Cr.) Gold
Kougarok district Solomon (2.2, 15.95)
MF-445, loc. 30 64°54'N, 164°43'W

Has been a little small-scale placer mining. Gold fine, flaky, and
bright.

(Rabbit Cr., E. of Solomon) Gold
Nome district Solomon (4.95, 10.9)
MF-445, loc. 102 64°37'N, 164°20'W

Fine gold in prospect holes; in sand on schist bedrock or in upper part
of decomposed bedrock. In some places gravel above the sand appears to
be beach gravel and in others to be stream gravel.

(Rapid Cr.) Gold(?)

Kougarok district Solomon (2.2, 15.95) approx.
64°54'N, 164°43'W approx.

Creek was staked; little more than assessment work in 1906. Creek not
shown on available maps. May be the same stream as that called Pajaro
Cr. on most maps and the same as Hilliard Cr. of Smith, 1909 (B 379),
p- 329.

(Ready Bullion Cr.) Gold
Kougarok district Solomon (3.05, 15.2)
MF-445, loc. 45 64952'N, 164936'W

A20


(Vulcan Cr.) Gold(?)

Koyuk district Solomon
NEXNEXNEX quad.

Prospecting, 1899-1900. See also (Clear Cr. area).

(Walla Walla Cr.) Gold
Council district Solomon (19.0, 11.0) approx.
64°36'N, 162°29'W approx.

Limonite-stained joints and fracture planes in slate near contact with
igneous rocks. Anaysis of rock from open cut showed trace of gold. Open
cut and 100-ft-longadit. Location given above may be as much as 5 mi off.

(Warm Cr.) Gold, Silver, Tungsten
Council district Solomon (8.1-8.5, 16.8-16.9)
MF-445, locs. 116, 117 64°57'N, 163°51'-163°55'W

Country rock is limestone and schist with some greenstone; mineralized
quartz veins in several places. Rough, stained gold at base of gravel
and in crevices in bedrock. Placer concentrates contain gold, magnetite,
ilmenite, scheelite, garnet, hematite, and rutile. Concentrate sample
from which free gold had been removed contained 22.4 oz gold and 4.2 oz
silver per ton. Mining from 1903 (possibly 1900) to 1922; intermittent
dredging, 1910-22.

(West Cr.) Antimony(?), Copper, Gold
Nome district Solomon (3.8-4.2, 11.9-12.0)
MF-445, locs. 15, 87 64°41'N, 164°26'-164°30'W

Creek flows across strike of schist and limestone bedrock. Gold increases
in coarseness upstream; on clay false bedrock or in cracks and crevices

in limestone. Concentrates contain gold, garnet, magnetite, pyrite,
chalcopyrite, and arsenopyrite. Nonfloat placer mining, 1900-11, 1932-34.
Quartz veins in shearedchloritic schist about 2 mi above mouth contain
sulfide minerals (pyrite, marcasite, and possibly sulfides of copper,
arsenic, and antimony); wall rock contains gold (as much as $8-$10 per
ton; gold at $20.67). Explored by 600-700 ft of underground workings;

no record of production. Includes reference to Alden.

Wheeler (Iron Cr.) Copper
Kougarok district Solomon (1.9, 15.8)(?)
MF-445, loc. 2(?) 64°54'N, 164°45'W(7)

Claims at heads of several small tributaries of Iron Cr. from west. Tunnel
60 ft long and shaft 80 ft deep. At surface 9 ft of quartz contains several
malachite stringers. Material from shaft contains small amounts of chalco-
pyrite and bornite; malachite on surface. Several tons of ore reported to
have been shipped before 1916. Description is very silimar to that of
Wheeler (Sherrette Cr.); it is possible that Mertie's description (1918,

(B 662), p. 441) of location is in error and that he meant east (rather

than west) of Iron Cr.

A26


(Rover Cr.) Gold(?)

Council district Solomon (4.8, 14.0)
64°48 'N, 164°22'W

A little desultory work near mouth. If there was any production of placer
gold it was very small. Large blocks of schist and greenstone in creek.

(Ruby Cr.) Gold
Council district Solomon (4.95-5.6, 14.05-14.25)
MF-445, loc. 79 64°48'-64°49'N, 164915'-164°20'W

Bedrock mainly schist; limestone near head. Garnetiferous greenstone
pebbles common in gravel. Magnetite and much garnet in concentrates.
Mining, 1900-07; most of creek gravels carefully worked from mouth to a
mile above Iowa Cr. Small dredge operated, 1931-32. Has also been some
placer gold production from bench deposits.

(Ryan Cr.) Gold
Council district Solomon (9.05, 10.3)
MF-445, loc. 105 64935'N, 163°48'W

Was a very small production of placer gold, probably mainly before 1907.
Bedrock is limestone with prominent sink holes downstream from a thin
band of schist.

(San Jose Cr.) Gold(?)

Nome district Solomon (0.4, 13.0) approx.
64°44'N, 164°57'W approx.

Unconfirmed report of placer gold mining.

(Sapphire Gulch) Gold
Nome district Solomon (4.8, 11.95)
MF-445, loc. 93 64°41'N, 164922'wW

Has been placer gold mining.

(Sherrette Cr.) Copper, Gold
Kougarok district Solomon (2.8-3.1, 15.95-16.6)
MF-445, locs. 7, 46 64°54'-64956'N, 164935'-164938'wW

Stream rises in area of limestone east of Iron Cr. Lower part of course is
in gravel plain between Kruzgamepa and Niukluk drainages. No mining near
headwaters; prospecting in gravel plain area found fine, but visible,

gold (some spongy) distributed through gravel and on clay layers in gravel;
placer concentrates mainly magnetite and ilmenite with very little garnet
and some iron and copper sulfides and copper carbonates. Prospect holes
near head of creek on a copper showing similar to that at Wheeler prospect;
mineralized quartz and schist on dumps. See also Wheeler (Sherrette Cr.).

(Shoal Cr.) Gold

A22


Copper mineralization along contact between schist and limestone.

(Mud Cr.) Gold
Council district Solomon (11.0, 15.3) approx.
MF-445, loc. 124 64°52'N, 163931'W approx.

Coarse, rough, spongy gold in angular schist gravel and in crevices in
decomposed schist bedrock. Iowa Cr. is also called, Mud Cr., but all of
the references listed in Part B are to this creek and not to Iowa Cr.

(Mulligan Cr.) Gold(?)

Nome district Solomon (0.9, 12.2) approx.
64°42'N, 164953'W approx.

Unconformed reports of placer mining before 1900.

(Mystery Cr., trib. Niukluk R.) Gold
Council district Solomon (11.0, 15.3) approx.
MF-445, loc. 124 64952'N, 163931'W approx.

Country rock is schist with small quartz stringers. Creek placers only;
some nuggets worth $6-$8 (gold at $20.67), but most is finer: Mining
from about 1906 to 1914s dredge operated, 1913-14. At site of dredging
gravel was 2-15 ft thick on clay flase bedrock. More than 300 kg of gold
mined from Mystery and Aggie Creeks. .

(Mystery Cr., trib. Shovel Cr.) Gold
Nome district Solomon (4.05-4.3, 11.35)
MF-445, loc. 86 64°39'N, 164°926'-164928'W

Bedrock decomposed schist. Both creek and bench gravels were mined. Some
of gold has attached quartz; some is wire gold. Mining (probably sporadic)
from 1903 to 1911, icluding a dredge in 1911. Annual production in early
1900's was about 1,450 fine oz of gold.

(Niukluk R.) Gold

Council district Solomon (8.0-10.2, 15.4-16.5)
MF-445, locs. 115, 121, 122 64°52'-64°56'N, 163°38'-163°56'W

Bar and floodplain gravels of Niukluk flats carry gold, most of which
probably came from tributaries such as Camp and Ophir Creeks. Gold
probably discovered in 1865 or 1866. A little bar mining, 1900. Nearly
all of the gold recovered was by dredging between 1903 and 1940. See
also: (Camp Cr.), Ophir Cr.)

(No Man Cr.) Gold
Council district Solomon (6.2, 16.05)
MF-445, loc. 69 64°55'N, 164910'W

A little placer mining, 1907. Gold probably derived from bench of Casade-
paga R.

Al7


before World War II) was probably about 87,000-88,000 fine oz of gold.
Includes references to: (Bluff), Consolidated, Eskimo, Idaho, Labay &
Megan, Sea Gull, (Topkok Beach).

(Darby Mts,) Tin(?)
Council or Koyuk district Solomon
NEX quad.

Unconformed report of cassiterite in granite.

(Dawson Cr.) (Gulch) Gold
Council district Solomon (6.15, 16.1)
MF-445, loc. 70 64°55'N, 164°11'W

Upper part of creek flows on limestone; schist with minor interbedded
limestone near mouth. Crosses bench of Casadepaga R.. Was a little min-
ing near mouth, mainly in 1907. Gold in creek placer derived from basin
and from bench of Casadepaga R.; some bench mining also.

(Discovery Cr.) Gold
Kougarok district Solomon (2.25, 15.5-15.65)
MF-445, loc. 34 64°53 'N, 164°42'W

Only placer gold mining was near mouth. Gold (none mined) reported on
some of tributaries.

(Dividend Cr.) Gold
Kougarok district Solomon (3.2, 15.1)
MF-445, loc. 44 64°52'N, 164°34'W

Was placer gold mining before 1908; creek gravels shallow.

(Dixon Cr.) Gold
Council district Solomon (5.85, 15.8)
MF-445, loc. 67 64°54'N, 163°13'W

Creek roughly follows contact between limestone and chloritic schist.
About $15,000 (about 725 fine oz) in gold, some coarse, recovered in early
1900's. Some more recent (probably post-1950) work.

(Dome Cr., Left Fork) Copper, Gold
Kougarok district Solomon (2.6-2.8, 15.6-15.75)
MF-445, locs. 8, 37 64°53'-64954'N, 164937'-164939'W

Small cut near headwaters in 1907 or earlier exposed small quartz lens
with azurite and a little malachite. Stream crosses 3 limestone bands
separated by 2 schist bands; much underground flow where bedrock is lime-
stone. About 950-975 fine oz of gold recovered from placers before 1908.
includes one reference (Hudson and others, 1977 (OF 77-796B), loc. 307)
to (Dome Cr.).

Ag


Flower(s) -- see (Solomon R.)

Flume Dredging Co. -- see (Basin Cr.), (Melsing Cr.), (Ophir Cr.)
Flynn -—— see Silver
Galvin -- see (Daniels Cr.)

G & O (Dredging Co.) -- see (Elkhorn Cr.), (Niukluk R.)
Garrod & Overbaugh -- see (Warm Cr.)

Garrod & Pfaffle -- see (Warm Cr.)

Glass Dredging Co. -- see (Melsing Cr.)
Goldbottom Dredging Co. -- see (Goose Cr.)

(Gold Cr.) -- see (Guy Cr.)

Goldsmith Dredging Co. -- see (Solomon R.)

Goode -- see Silver

Goose Creek -- see (Goose Cr.)

Gray Eagle -- see Quigley

Haney, H. J., Mining Co. -- see (Big Hurrah Cr.)

Hanson -~ see (Koyana Cr.)

Hill -- see (Koyana Cr.)

(Hobo Gulch) -- see (Hardluck Cr.)
Homestake -- see (Daniels Cr.)

Hot Air -- see Silver

Hunter & Walker -- see (Daniels Cr.)
Hurrah -- see Big Hurrah

Hurrah Quartz Mining Co. -- see Big Hurrah
Idaho -- see (Daniels Cr.)

Inland Dredging Co. -- see (Aggie Cr.)
(Iron Cr., Left Fork) -- see (Dome Cr., Left Fork)
Iverson (& Johnson) -- see (Big Hurrah Cr.)
Keenan -- see (Daniels Cr.)

Kimball -- see (Adams Cr.), (Melsing Cr.), (Shovel Cr.), (Solomon R.)
Kimball & Saupe -- see (Melsing Cr.), (Ophir Cr.)
(Koksuktapaga R.) -- see (Casadepaga R.)

(Koksuktapaga R., Left Fork) -- see (Lower Willow Cr.)
Labay & Meegan -- see (Daniels Cr.)

Lane Investment Co. -- see Big Hurrah

(Last Chance Cr., trib. Big Hurrah Cr.) -- see Quigley
Lee Bros. (Dredging Co.) -- see (Solomon R.)

Libby, Melsing, Mordaunt & Blake -- see (Melsing Cr.)
Lomen Reindeer & Trading Co. -- see (Solomon R.)

Lubbe -- see (Mystery Cr., trib. Shovel Cr.)

(Lulu Cr.) -- see (Benson Cr.)

Lylles -- see (Koyana Cr.)

Mahan & Slack -- see (California Cr.)
Margraf & Kowalski -- see (Big Hurrah Cr.)
Megan, Megan & Somerville -- see (Daniels Cr.)

Megan, Somerville & Megan -- see (Daniels Cr.)

Melsing Creek Dredge -- see (Basin Cr.)

Moody Mining Co. -- see (Canyon Cr., trib. Casadepaga R.)

Mordaunt, Libby, Nelson & Blake -- see (Casadepaga R.)

Mulligan -- see (West Cr.)

Newburg & Flower -- see (Solomon R.)

Nome, Montana & New Mexico (Consolidated Mining Co.) -- see (Goose Cr.),

(Solomon R.)

A29


Bunker Hill Copper, Gold

Council district Solomon (9.4, 10.65)
MF-445, loc. 20 64936'N, 163°45'W

Quartz vein at contact between limestone and schist; carries a little
chalcopyrite, pyrite, and gold (assay of about 3.87 oz gold per ton re-
ported); stained with secondary iron and copper minerals. Vein exposed
by shallow trenches for a width of 54 ft and a length of 20 ft.

(Burnt Cr.) RE, Thorium, Uranium

Council district Solomon (18.15, 13.0)
64943 'N, 162935'W

Sample of allanite-rich syenite boulder contained 0.59% U30g and 1.05%
ThO2. Occurrence similar to that near Eagle Cr. See also (Eagle Cr.).

(Butte Cr.) Gold
Nome district Solomon (5.0-5.15, 12.45-12.6)
MF-445, loc. 95 64°43'N, 164919'-164920'W

Follows contact between limestone and underlying schist uptream from pro-
ductive placer ground on South Fork. Placer gold mined from creek and
bench gravels, 1908 and earlier. Includes references to (Butte Cr., South
Fork).

(Cahill Cr.) Gold

Council district Solomon (4.1, 14.5)
MF-445, loc. 75 64°49'N, 164927'W

Gold, which may have been reconcentrated from bench of Lower Willow Cr.,
found in lower half mile of creek. No record of mining.

(California Cr.) Gold
Council district Solomon (8.4, 11.0)
MF-445, loc. 106 64°37'N, 163°53'W

Small-scale placer gold mining reported, 1928-30, 1933. Dredge operated
for parts of 1939 and 1940 seasons.

(Camp Cr.) Gold
Council district Solomon (7.45-8.0, 15.0-16.5)
MF-445, locs. 13, 115 64951'-64956'N, 163956'-164°00'W

Quartz vein near head carries visible free gold. Sporadic placer gold
mining reported from 1905 to 1940. Most placer mining was in flats of
Niukluk R. near mouth of Camp Cr. Dredges operated 1915-18, 1939-40.
Smaller scale mining may well have been on Camp Cr.

(Canyon Cr., trib. Casadepaga R.) Gold
Council district Solomon (4.55-4.75, 15.1)
MF-445, loc. 51 64°51'N, 164922'-164924'W

A6


(Big Hurrah Cr.) Antimony, Gold, Silver, Tungsten

Nome district Solomon (5.2-6.1, 11.3-11.55)
MF-445, locs. 17, 100 64°38'-64939'N, 164912'-1640919'wW

Country rock is limestone, schist, and slate; quartz veins exposed in and
near Big Hurrah Cr. contain gold, silver, stibnite, and other sulfides.
Creek has cut down 10-30 ft below old valley floor, leaving benches on
both sides of creek. Bench gravels auriferous. Creek gravels some of
richest in district, especially immediately downstream from Big Hurrah
lode mine; gold from lodes and reconcentrated from bench gravels. Schee-
lite in placer concentrates; estimated to amount to about 34 lb scheelite
per ya3 of concentrate. Mining from 1900 to World War II or later;
dredges operated, 1911, 1918-26. See also Big Hurrah, Quigley, Silver,
unnamed occurrence (copper, gold) at 64°40'N, 164°15'W.

(Birch Cr.) Gold
Council district Solomon (6.5, 14.75) approx.
MF-445, loc. 82 64°50'N, 164°07'W approx.

Tributary of Big Four Cr. Placer gold mining in 1906.

(Bobs Cr.) Gold
Kougarok district Solomon (2.05, 16.2)
MF-445, loc. 31 64955'N, 164943'W

- Placer mining in 1906. Concentrates contained fine gold, magnetite, and
garnet. All of ground frozen.

(Bonanza Cr.) Gold(?)

Council district Solomon (6.05, 16.85) approx.
64°57'N, 164°11'W approx.

Country rock is schist in headwaters and limestone farther downstream.
Has been some prospecting, but very little (if any) productive placer
gold mining. See also (Ben Gulch)

(Boulder Cr.) Gold
Council district Solomon (4.5, 15.2)
MF-445, loc. 50 64°52'N, 164°24'W

Gold distributed through 18-24 in of gravel. Some $12-nuggets, but most
much smaller; gold worth $18 per oz (gold at $20.67). Mining 1899-1900,
1907.

Brookins Antimony
Council district Solomon (7.7, 16.0)
MF-445, loc. 17 64°55'N, 163°58'W

Stringers and lenses (largest one foot thick) of stibnite in mica schist.
Exploration consisted of an 8-ft shaft and a 60-ft tunnel. No production.
Nearby tiny stringers and pockets of stibnite in folds of contorted schist.

AS


(Nugget Cr., trib. American Cr.) Gold(?)

Council district Solomon (3.25, 15.8) approx.
64°54'N, 164°34'W approx.

Has been prospecting; no data on results.

(Nugget Gulch) (Cr., trib Solomon R.) Gold

Nome district Solomon (5.35, 13.6)
MF-445, loc. 96 64°46'N, 164°17'W

If there was any mining it was before 1907. Gold coarse, bright, and with
some attached quartz.

(Ophir Cr.) Gold
Council district Solomon (9.4-10.05, 16.3-17.6)
MF-445, loc. 120 64°55'-65°00'N, 163939'-163°44'W

Major producing creek in Council district. Bedrock is calcareous schist
and limestone, both of which contain small quartz and calcite veins that
carry sulfide minerals and visible gold; one near mouth of Ophir Cr.
yielded gold when crushed and panned; veins are probably source of gold.
Scheelite reported, probably erroneously, in 1901. Both stream and bench
placers; some concentration by solifluction or other rapid mass movement.
Some of gold in stream placers reconcentrated from terrace gravels. Parts
of stream first worked by simple methods and then reworked later by dredges.
Gold discovered in 1897; mining reported in nearly every year from then to
1940. First dredge installed in 1903; at times as many as 3 dredges were
working in different parts of the creek and in the flats of the Niukluk

R. at the mouth of Ophir Cr. One dredge was operating as recently as 1968.
Some of mining was in Bendeleben quad., but as in many references it is
impossible to determine what part of Ophir Cr. is discussed all are sum-
marized here. Includes references to Wild Goose Mining & Trading Co.

See also (Niukluk R.), (Ophir Cr.) Bendeleben quad.

(Oversight Cr.) Gold
Kougarok district Solomon (3.25, 15.2)
MF-445, loc. 43 64°52'N, 164934'W

Was profitable placer gold mining before 1908. Stream gravels shallow.

(Pajara Cr.) Gold
Nome district Solomon (1.05-1.4, 11.6-11.9)
MF-445, loc. 84 64940'N, 164949'-164952'W

Gold dredging in 1940's. Solomon C-6 map (1956 printing) shows large area
of tailings and an airstrip.

(Penelope Cr.) Gold
Council district Solomon (5.6, 15.25)
MF-445, loc. 62 64°52'N, 164°15'W

All mining on lower part of creek. Bedrock schist. About a mile above

A18


(Chukajak Cr.) Gold(?)

Koyuk district Solomon
NEZNEZNE% quad.

Prospectors reported finding coarse gold, 1899-1900. Further work was dis-
couraging.

(Clear Cr. area) Niobium, RE, Tin, Tungsten, Uranium
Kotuk district Solomon (19.7-20.9, 15.25-16.85)
MF-445, locs. 127-133 64°50'-64°56'N, 162°11'-162921'W

Concentrate samples from tributaries of Clear and Vulcan Creeks contained
pyrite, hematite, ilmenite, magnetite, cassiterite, rutile, zircon, topaz,
allanite, garnet, kyanite, sphene, scheelite, and uraniferous niobate
minerals. Anomalous amounts of Bi in many samples, but no bismuth mineral
was identified.

(Coca Cola Cr.) Gold

Council district Solomon (8.5, 11.0) approx.
64°37'N, 163°53'W approx.

Near California Cr. A little placer gold was recovered in 1933.

(Dane Cr.) Gold(?)

Kougarok district Solomon (0.6, 16.0) approx.
64°56'N, 164°55'W approx.

Thin gravel. Map in principal reference shows auriferous gravel, but text
description does not state that any gold was found.

(Daniels Cr.) Copper, Gold, Mercury, Silver,
Tungsten

Council district Solomon (9.4-9.5, 10.1-10.25)

MF-445, locs. 21, 110 64934'-64935'N, 163944'-163°45'W

Country rock is limestone crossed by a band of chloritic schist. Three
lodes extend from shore inland for about a mile; contain free gold (with
alloyed silver) and sparse sulfides in quartz veins in shear zones; in
richest material gold is concentrated near margins of veins. Sulfides
mainly arsenopyrite and pyrite; some chalcopyrite. Lodes explored by many
pits, trenches, shallow shafts, and an adit in sea cliff. A little ore
was mined and milled in an arrastre and small mill, but production was
negligible. Placer deposits (derived from lodes) were mined from Daniels
Cr., two levels of beaches near mouth, and from offshore channel of creek.
Bedrock in creek is cavernous limestone with most of gold in sink holes,
collapsed caverns, and solution channels; gold in holes with bottoms below
sea level probably not recoverable. Much cinnabar and a little scheelite
in concentrates. Gold discovered in beach at mouth of creek in 1899; in
creek and lodes in 1900. Beach was one of the richest ever found. Mining
continued until as recently as 1956. Offshore channel mined with scraper
working through a slot cut in the sea ice. Total placer production (mainly

A8


placer claims staked near mouth of Big Hurrah Cr. in 1899. Mining, mainly
by dredges, continued until as recently as about 1963. Bench gravels and
some stream deposits also were mined by other methods. Value of gold
produced was probably well over $2,500,000; data are incomplete and such
that values can not be converted to ounces. Placer deposits in and along
the Solomon R. probably accounted for 10% of the gold and silver pro-
duction of the Nome district, which was reported as 138,158 kg (about
4,441,800 oz) gold and 3,123 kg (about 100,400 oz) silver. Dredge con-
centrates from about a mile below mouth of Shovel Cr. contained about 22
oz gold and 9.1 lb scheelite per yd3.

(Spruce Cr., trib. Casadepaga R.) Copper, Gold
Council district Solomon (5.9-6.0, 15.3-15.5)
MF-445, locs. 10, 64 64°52'-64953'N, 164°12'-164913'W

Copper sulfides and carbonates in a siliceous rock that looks like re-
placed limestone at contact between limestone and schist; not in younger
crosscutting quartz veins. Gold reported in some of veins. In 1899 and
for a few years thereafter a little placer gold was mined. Production
was probably less than 500 fine oz.

(Spruce Cr., E. of Solomon) Gold
Nome district Solomon (6.3-6.5, 10.2-10.6)
MF-445, loc. 105 64935 '-64936'N, 164°08-164°10'W

Small stream that rises in highland and flows across coastal plain. A
little gold on a clay layer on bedrock was mined before 1910. Consider-
able production from coastal plain sediments was mined by a dredge from
1930 to 1937, when profitable ground was mined out.

Stepovich Antimony, Gold, Lead, Silver

Nome district Solomon (5.65, 1.6) approx.
64°40'N, 164°15'W approx.

Gold-bearing antimony-lead-silver veins on ridge north of Big Hurrah Cr.
Possibly this may be the same as the Quigley prospect or one of the occur-
rences reported as on Big Hurrah Cr.

(Sunshine Cr.) Gold
Council district Solomon (4.8, 15.15-15.2)
MF-445, loc. 52 64°52'N, 164°22'W

A little mining reported in early 1900's, 1918, and 1934. Placer deposit
formed by reconcentration of bench gravel.

(Swede Cr.) (Gulch) Gold, Mercury
Council district Solomon (9.85, 10.1)
MF-445, loc. 111 64934'N, 163942'W

Country rock is hematite-stained limestone and a belt of schist near head
of creek. Placer gold deposit is similar to, but much smaller and less

A24


UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

SUMMARIES OF DATA ON AND LISTS OF REFERENCES TO
METALLIC AND SELECTED NONMETALLIC MINERAL OCCURRENCES
IN THE SOLOMON QUADRANGLE, ALASKA,
SUPPLEMENT TO OPEN-FILE REPORT 78-181

PART A -— SUMMARIES OF DATA TO JANUARY 1, 1981

By
Edward H. Cobb

Open-file Report 81-504A
1981

This report is preliminary and has
not been reviewed for conformity
with U.S. Geological Survey
editorial standards.


(Elkhorn Cr.) Gold

Council district Solomon (7.6-7.85, 16.35-16.5)
MF-445, loc. 114 64°55'-64°56'N, 163°57'-163°59'W

Most of course incised in terrace of Niukluk R.; bedrock schist and inter-
bedded limestone. Placer mining (other than dredging), 1900-07, 1913.
Dredge operated 1914-18. Total production not known; probably was well
over 10,000 fine oz. Some of gold very coarse and iron stained; nugget
worth $55 (gold at $20.67) recovered in 1900. Some nuggets attached to
quartz; one attached toa fragment of mica schist.

(El Patron Cr.) Gold
Kougarok district Solomon (1.75, 15.2)
MF-445, loc. 28 64952'N, 164946 'W

Placer near contact between limestone and schist was mined on a small
scale, 1906-08. Concentrates contained gold (coarse and little rounded),
magnetite, ilmenite, and garnet.

(Etchepuk R.) Mica

Council district Solomon
SW3NWZNE% quad.

Large flakes of mica in pegmatite near head of Etchepuk R.

(Fish R.) Gold, Lead, Mercury, Silver
Council district Solomon (12.35-13.2, 15.2-16.0) approx.
MF-445, loc. 23 (in part) 64951'-64°54'N, 163°13'-163921'W approx.

Silver-lead lode 5 or 6 mi about mouth of Niukluk R. said to have been
worked sporadically for several years; production of a few flasks of mer-
cury annually for a few years also reported; 1915 and earlier. Schist
and/or limestone probable host for silver-lead; quartz stringers for
cinnabar. Recent attempts to find this occurrence (1960's) were unsuccess—
ful. Fine gold on river bars reported; was prospect drilling near mouth
of Aggie Cr. in 1937.

(Fox Cr.) Gold
Nome district Solomon (5.3, 12.9)
MF-445, loc. 98 64°44'N, 164918'W

Small-scale placer gold mining near contact between limestone and schist,
1907-08.

(Fox R.) Gold
Council district Solomon (9.05, 13.9)
MF-445, loc. 113 , 64°47'N, 163°48'W

Bedrock is schists with interbedded limestone and greenstone sills and
dikes. Stream incised 50-100 ft into old valley floor. Prospecting and

a little placer gold mining in bench gravels near IXL Gulch in early 1900's.
See also (IXL Gulch).

All


(Dry Cr.) Gold

Council district Solomon (5.8, 15.7)
MF-445, loc. 66 64°54'N, 164°14'wW

Stream crosses bench of Casadepaga R. from which gold in stream placer was
probably concentrated. Gold, mostly fine, on clay false bedrock. A little
mining, 1900, 1907.

(Dutch Cr.) (Gulch) Gold
Council district Solomon (10.05, 17.3)
MF-445, loc. 120 64°59'N, 163939'wW

Sporadic placer mining, 1900-18; all probably on a small scale. Gold in
both creek and bench gravels. Includes references to (Snowball Cr.).

(Eagle Cr., Darby Mts.) RE, Thorium, Uranium

Council district Solomon (16.8, 12.7)
64°42'N, 162°16'W

Allanite-bearing syenite float near pulaskite dikes; some samples contained
more than 2% rare-earth elements; samples averaged 1,325 ppm U (0.156%
U30g)and 7,990 ppm Th (0.91% ThO9).

(Eagle Cr., near Iron Cr.) Lead
Kougarok district Solomon (2.8, 16.65)
MF-445, loc. 5 64°57'N, 164°938'W

Disseminated finely crystalline galena in quartz float.

(Easy Cr.) Gold
Kougarok district Solomon (2.4, 16.2)
MF-445, loc. 35 64055'N, 164041'W

Bedrock near mouth is dark limestone with numerous sulfide-bearing veins.
Bedrock elsewhere in basin is schist and limestone. Was profitable small-
scale placer mining before 1910. Auriferous sulfides inconcentrates. Old
channel, probably of Iron Cr., in bench deposits prospected and mined in a
small way in 1908. See also (Iron Cr.).

(Eldorado Cr.) Gold, Mercury
Council district Solomon (9.35, 10.4)
MF-445, loc. 109 64°35'N, 163°46'W

Bedrock limestone with a narrow belt of schist (probable source area of
placer gold); mining of creek gravels for 3,000 ft downstream from schist
belt, in what appears to be a filled sink in limestone, and from a residual
deposit on schist. Gold discovered before 1902; most mining between 1928
and 1933; small dredge operated in 1964. Total production probably about
1,000 fine oz of gold. Cinnabar present in placers.

A10


Nome, Montana & New Mexico Mining Co. -- see (Goose Cr.)
Northern Light Mining Co. -- see (Niukluk R.), (Ophir Cr.)
North(ern) Star Dredging Co. -- see (Niukluk R.), (Ophir Cr.)
Nylen, Hultberg and others -- see (Shovel Cr.)

Ophir Gold Dredging Co. -- see (Ophir Cr.)

Oro Dredging Co. -- see (Elkhorn Cr.), (Goose Cr.)

Osmun -- see (Slate Cr.)

Peck -- see (Casadepaga R.)

Roberts -- see (Big Hurrah Cr.)

Ruby Dredging Co. -- see (Casadepaga R.), (Ruby Cr.)

Scott -- see (Iron Cr.)

Scott-Newburg -- see (Solomon R.)

Sea Gull -- see (Daniels Cr.)

Seward Dredging Co. -- see (Solomon R.)

Shamrock -- see Silver

Shovel Creek Dredging Co. -- see (Shovel Cr.), (Solomon R.)
Shovel Creek Mining Co. -- see (Shovel Cr.)

Sievertsen (& Johnson) -- see (Solomon R.)

(Silver Bow Cr.) -- see (Little Anvil Cr.)

Sivertsen & Johnson Mining & Dredging Co. -- see (Solomon R.)
(Snowball Cr.) -- see (Dutch Cr.)

Solomon (River) Dredging Co. -- see (Solomon R.)

Solomon Valley Dredge Co. -- see (Solomon R.)

Southern Cross -- see Silver

Spruce Creek Dredging Co. -- see (Spruce Cr., E. of Solomon)
Star Dredging Co. -- see (Mystery Cr., trib. Shovel Cr.)
Sullivan Mining Co., Crabtree and others -- see (Daniels Cr.)
Sullivan, Ryan and others -- see (Daniels Cr.)

Swede Creek Mining Co. -- see (Swede Cr.)

(Telegram Cr.) -- see (Iron Cr.) [part of Iron Cr. above Eldorado Cr.]
(Telegraph Cr.) -- see (Iron Cr.)

Three Friends Mining Co. -- see (Solomon R.)

(Topkok Beach) -- see (Daniels Cr.)

Topkok Chief Mining Co. -- see (Daniels Cr.)

Topkok Ditch Co. -- see (Daniels Cr.)

Tucker -- see (Daniels Cr.)

Uplift Mining Co. -- see (Camp Cr.), (Niukluk R.)

Warm Creek Dredging Co. -- see (Warm Cr.)

Whiterock -- see (Daniels Cr.)

Wild Goose Mining Co. -- see (Dutch Cr.), (Ophir Cr.)

Wild Goose (Mining & Trading) Co. -- see (Ophir Cr.)
(Willow Cr., trib. Casadepaga R.) -- see (Lower Willow Cr.)
Willow Dredging Co. -- see (Lower Willow Cr.)

A30


Creek has cut about 10 ft below old valley floor; bedrock is schist with
a few narrow limestone reefs and numerous quartz veins. Much of mining
was of bench gravels about 12 ft thick and as much as 200 ft or more wide.
Gold throughout gravel; best values on bedrock or in crevices in it.

Creek gravels also auriferous. Intermittent mining, 1900-18; dredge
operated, 1916-18.

(Canyon Cr., trib. Iron Cr.) Gold
Kougarok district Solomon (1.6, 15.05)
MF-445, loc. 27 64°51'N, 164947'W

Colors of placer gold reported. Most of valley in feldspathic and chlor-
itic schists; some slate and limestone near head. No workable deposits
found. See also (El Patron Cr.).

(Cape Darby) Monazite, RE, Tungsten
Council district Solomon (16.75, 7.25)
MF-445, loc. 136 64°924'N, 162°48'W

Sample from sea cliff contained allanite, monazite, scheelite, fluorite,
hematite, magnetite, ilmenite, zicon, epidote, and biotite.

(Carson Cr.) Copper
Council district Solomon (18.4, 9.35)
MF-445, loc. 24 64931'N, 162934'W

Malachite, azurite, and minor chalcocite partially replaced schist. Ex-
plored in a small way in early 1900's.

(Casadepaga R.) Gold
Council district Solomon (4.55-6.35, 13.85-16.25)
MF-445, locs. 53-57, 78, 81 64°46'-64°56'N, 164909'-164°24'wW

Country rock limestone and schist; many quartz veins, some of which are
auriferous. River heads in broad valley filled with gravel into which
stream is entrenched 30-150 ft. Broad terraces with gold-bearing bench
gravels. Tributaries have concentrated gold from bench gravels in their
lower courses and in gravels of main river below mouths of tributaries.
Gold discovered, 1898. Mining on tributaries and bars of main stream
before 1913. Dredges operated, 1913-14, 1925-29, and 1934-37. Smaller

scale mining in intervening years. Includes references to (Koksuktapaga
R.)

(Chickamin Gulch) Gold

Kougarok district Solomon (2.7, 15.55)

MF-445, loc. 38 64°53'N, 164938'W

Small gulch in bench deposits on canyon wall of Iron Cr. Fine gold in
sand with a few pebbles resting on solution-pitted limestone surface. No
record of productive mining.

AT


Has been probably profitable placer gold mining of shallow gravels.

(Richter Cr.) Gold
Council district Solomon (9.05, 16.25) approx.
MF-445, loc. 118 64°55'N, 163°47'W approx.

Gold placers seemed to be exhausted; negligible output in 1906.

(Ridgeway Cr.) Gold
Council district Solomon (4.3-4.45, 14.15-14.3)
MF-445, loc. 77 64°49'N, 164925'-164°26'W

Gold (some nuggets) for at least a mile above mouth. Not enough water
for efficient placer mining.

(Rock Cr., Fish R. drainage) Gold
Council district Solomon (13.25-13.5, 15.55-15.9) approx.?
MF-445, loc. 125? 64952'-64954'N, 163912'-163°13'W approx?

Tributary of Aggie Cr. Promising gold placer ground discovered, 1926.
Small-scale mining reported, 1928-30.

(Rock Cr., near Iron Cr.) Gold
Kougarok district Solomon (1.05, 15.9)
MF-445, loc. 25 64°54'N, 164°51'W

Western branch of Slate Cr. Was placer gold mining before 1908. See also
(Slate Cr.)

(Rock Cr., trib. Solomon R.) Gold
Nome district Solomon (4.7-4.85, 10.7-10.8)
MF-445, loc. 103 64°37'N, 164921'-164923'W

Schist bedrock; muchgreenstone float; quartz pebbles and slate fragments
in gravel. Some of gold may have been derived from veins in drainage and
some from coastal-plain deposits. Placer mining, all on a small scale,
1903, 1913, 1932-34.

(Rock Cr., trib. Tubutulik R.) RE
Koyuk district Solomon (19.75, 17.45)
MF-445, loc. 126 64°58'N, 162°20'W

Concentrate sample contained allanite, hematite, ilmenite, magnetite,
anatase, garnet, topaz, kyanite, epidote, and sphene.

(Rocky Cr.) Gold
Kougarok district Solomon (2.1, 15.8)
MF-445, loc. 29 64°54'N, 164°43'W

Creek was completely staked. Probably was a little small-scale placer
gold mining, but not much production.

A21


Wheeler (Kruzgamepa R.) Copper, Gold, Lead, Silver, Zinc

Kougarok district Solomon (2.6, 17.15)
MF-445, loc. 3 64°58'N, 164°39'W

On both sides of Kruzgamepa R. near mouth of Iron Cr. Deposits (probably
at least partly formed by replacement) arein slightly recrystallized lime-
stone with interbedded schist (may be juxtaposed by faulting). Green-
stone (possibly intrusive) along some contacts. Deposits consist of small
lenticular masses of argentiferous galena, pyrite, and minor sphalerite,
chalcopyrite, and boulangerite(?) in quartz-calcite gangue; pyrite and
sporadic secondary copper minerals in schist. A little ore was mined

from 2 lenses before 1922. Assays indicated 14%-23% Pb, 14.5-20 oz Ag
per ton, and as much as 0.3 oz Au per ton. Sporadic exploration from
about 1903 to possibly about 1920 and prospect drilling in early 1970's.
Includes reference to sulfides near mouth of Iron Cr.

Wheeler (Sherrette Cr.) Copper, Gold, Silver
Kougarok district Solomon (2.7, 16.1)
MF-445, loc. 6 64°55'N, 164938'W

Silicified zone 5 ft thick in limestone with thin bands of chloritic
schist at base of a thrust plate (schist beneath) contains pyrite, chalco-
pyrite, bornite, and secondary minerals. Explored by an adit 200 ft long,
a shaft reported to be 90 ft deep, and several pits. About 25 tons of ore
mined, assay returns showed 17.18%-35.68% Cu and as much as 1.82 oz Au and
5.16 oz Ag per ton.

(Willow Cr., trib. Kruzgamepa R.) Gold
Kougarok district Solomon (1.5, 15.85)
MF-445, loc. 26 64°54'N, 164°49'W

A little placer mining, 1901-04 and possibly 1914. Gold of local origin,
probably related to limestone-schist contact. Bench gravels between Slate
and Willow Creeks are auriferous.

(Wilson Cr.) Gold
Council district Solomon (3.8, 14.55)
MF-445, loc. 74 64°49'N, 164930'W

Was placer mining in early 1900's. Some of gold may have been concentrated
from low benches. See also (Lower Willow Cr.).

Unnamed occurrence Copper, Gold
Nome district Solomon (5.64, 11.6)
MF-445, loc. 18 64°40'N, 164°15'W

About 3/4 mi northwest of Big Hurrah mine. Prospect shafts and open cuts
exposed quartz containing free gold, pyrite, arsenopyrite, chalcopyrite,
and pyrrhotite. Country rock is Hurrah slate of older reports (York Slate
of Sainsbury). Samples of material from dump contained no more than 0.17
oz Au per ton and 0.04% Cu.

A27


(Auburn Ravine) (Cr.) Gold, Mercury

Council district Solomon (3.8, 16.0)
MF-445, loc. 47 64°54'N, 164°29'W

Major tributary of American Cr. Bedrock is cavernous limestone into which
most of water is lost; schist west of creek. Gold in gravel from mouth to
headwater gulches. All of gold recovered was coarse and rested on thin
clay layers in gravel rather than on bedrock. Concentrates contained gar-
net, magnetite, ilmenite, and sparse cinnabar. Many large solution-etched
blocks of limestone in gravel. Was placer mining before 1910.

(Banner Cr.) Gold
Council district Solomon (5.1-5.3, 14.45-14.55)
MF-445, locs. 72, 73 64°49'-64°50'N, 164°18'-164919'W

Crosses contact between limestone and schist. Most of creek gravels had
been worked at least once by 1906; no record of mining after 1907. Gold
recovered was generally coarse; worth $19.20 an ounce (gold at $20.67).

(Barney Cr.) Gold
Kougarok district Solomon (2.15, 16.35)
MF-445, loc. 32 64°56'N, 164943 'W

A little fine, flaky gold was mined in 1906 and possibly in 1907 or 1908.
Concentrates contained abundant garnet and magnetite. Many exotic rocks
in gravel.

(Basin Cr.) Gold
Council district Solomon (10.2, 16.0)
MF-445, loc. 123 64°54'N, 163938'W

Tributary of Melsing Cr. on which there has been placer gold mining, in-
cluding dredging in 1920 and 1927. Benson Gulch, named as site of mining,
1929-33, may be the same as Basin Cr. or may be another tributary of Mel-
sing Cr. not shown on maps. Includes references to (Benson Gulch). See
also (Melsing Cr.).

(Bear Gulch) Gold
Nome district Solomon (4.9, 12.05)
MF-445, loc. 92 64°41'N, 164921'W

Was placer gold mining in early 1900's; most of gravel had been worked
over by 1907.

(Beaver Cr.) Gold
Nome district Solomon (1.3-1.55, 11.2-11.4)
MF-445, loc. 85 64°38'-64°39'N, 164°48'-164°50'w

Gold dredge operated, 1940's. Ground was too wet for other types of min-
ing. Almost 200 kg of gold reported to have been recovered.

A3


Nome district Solomon (4.6, 10.8)
MF-445, loc. 101 64°37'N, 164°23'W

Upper part of creek flows in coastal plain gravels; in lower part, creek
bed cut down into bedrock of limestone with narrow bands of schist. Ir-
regular pay streaks contain both coarse and fine gold. A little develop-
ment before 1900. Placer mining in 1907, 1932-34 reported; all ona
small scale.

(Johns Cr.) Copper, Gold

Nome district Solomon (5.0, 13.0) approx.
64944'N, 164920'W approx.

Bedrock mainly schist; quartz lenses and stringers carry pyrite, minor
chalcopyrite, and traces of gold. Prospecting for placer gold in 1900;
production probably less than 1% oz of gold.

(Kauchauik Cr. tributary) Copper

Council district Solomon (15.3, 13.0) approx.
64°43'N, 162958'W approx.

More recent reference reports float of chalcopyrite-quartz vein stained
and encrusted with malachite. Older reference reports that quartz veins
cut schist and also contain bornite.

(Kasson Cr.) Gold
Nome district Solomon (4.35-4.5, 12.15)
MF-445, loc. 89 64°42'N, 164924'-164926'W

Near contact between limestone and schist. Creek flows on fragmented
limestone into which water escapes. Much of gold deep (at least 20-30 ft)
in crevices (solution channels, etc.?) in limestone. Small-scale placer
mining in 1900-08, 1913, 1934 reported. Sulfide material in calcareous
schist float assayed 0.07 oz gold per ton.

(Koyana Cr,) Gold, Mercury
Council district Solomon (10.05, 10.15)
MF-445, locs. 22, 112 64°34'N, 163°40'W

Country rock limestone with a schist band in which are mineralized (with
arsenopyrite and pyrite) quartz veins at least one of which carries about
14 oz gold per ton. Sulfides in wall rock also. A few tons of ore taken
out in early 1900's may not have been sold. A little mining of shallow
placer deposits in early 1900's and 1928-30; total production probably
less than 100 fine oz. Cinnabar in concentrates. Includes references

to lode prospect 3 mi east of Daniels Cr. See also (Daniels Cr.).

(Kwiniuk R.) Copper, Mercury(?), Molybdenum, RE,
Tungsten

Council district Solomon

MF-445, loc. 134 (in part) SE%NEX quad.

A14


has cut down to schist bedrock at forks 3/4 mi above mouth; limestone
bedrock below forks. Has been considerable prospecting, but no valuable
placers were found.

(Meddler Gulch) Gold
Nome district Solomon (4.8, 12.1)
MF-445, loc. 91 64°41 'N, 164°22'W

Small headwater tributary of Minnesota Cr. Had been mined before 1907.
In 1907 a small deposit (possibly an eluvial placer) was worked for part
of the summer. Gold coarse and bright.

(Melsing Cr.) Gold
Council district Solomon (10.0-10.2, 15.8-16.0)
MF-445, loc. 123 64°54'N, 163°38'-163940'W

Country rock mainly calcareous schist; some limestone. Placers in creek
gravels and in deposits of low terraces. In places gold is on clay false
bedrock; in others, in crevices in top few feet of bedrock. Gold discov—
ered in 1898. Mining as recently as 1938. Dredging, 1911-20, 1935-38.
No data on amount of production but was one of principal producing creeks
of district. See also (Basin Cr.).

(Minnesota Cr.) Gold(?)

Nome district Solomon (4.85, 11.95) approx.
64°41'N, 164°21'W approx.

Prospecting and assessment work only, 1917. No gold production. See
also: (Bear Gulch), (Meddler Gulch), (Sapphire Gulch).

(Moonlight Cr.) Gold
Council district Solomon (4.1, 13.8)
MF-445, loc. 80 64°47'N, 164°27'W

Placer gold mining reported, 1916.

(Moonlight Divide) Copper
Council district Solomon (4.15, 14.0)
MF-445, loc. 14 64948'N, 164°927'W

Copper mineralization along contact between schist and Limestone.

(Moran Gulch) (Cr.) Gold
Nome district Solomon (4.65, 10.9)
MF-445, loc. 101 64937'N, 164°23'W

Gravel of benches of Solomon R. mined on a small scale, 1908, 1913,
1932-33

(Mt. Dixon) Copper
Council district Solomon (5.7, 16.15)
MF-445, loc. 9 64°55'N, 164°14'W

A16


(Adams Cr.) Gold

Nome district Solomon (4.1, 12.45)
MF-445, loc. 88 64°42'N, 164°27'W

Creek heads in schist and greenstone terrane; flows across belt of lime-
stone. 50-60 oz gold recovered in 1900. Magnetite and garnet in concen-—
trates. Report of dredge being built in 1914 is probably an error.

(Adventuress Cr.) Gold

Kougarok district Solomon (3.2, 15.25)

MF-445, loc. 42 64°52'N, 164°934'W

Shallow auriferous gravels; probably worked out before 1908.

(Aggie Cr.) Gold

Council district Solomon (13.25-13.5, 15.55-15.9)
MF-445, loc. 125 64°952'-64954'N, 163912'-163913'W

Tributary of Fish R. 2.9 mi downstream from creek labeled Aggie Cr. on
most maps. Placer mining in 1930's and early 1940's. Dredge operated
from 1938 to 1940 or 1941; tailings conspicuous on aerial photos taken

in 1950. More than 300 kg of gold mined from Aggie and Mystery (trib.
Niukluk R.) Creeks. Calcareous metasedimetary rocks exposed beneath cal-
careous schist.

(Allgold Cr.) Gold
Council district Solomon (4.0, 15.3)
MF-445, loc. 49 64°52'N, 164°28'W

Colors of gold in prospect pits. Country rock mainly feldspathic schist.

(American Cr.) Gold
Council district Solomon (4.3-4.35, 16.55-16.65)
MF-445, loc. 48 64°56'N, 164°27'W

Headwater part of creek in limestone-schist terrane; lower part in area
of faulted limestone. Headward part of valley was captured from Kruzga-
mepa drainage by a tributary of the Niukluk River. All gold placers
above point of capture. Gold discovered in about 1900. Most mining in
basin was on Auburn Ravine. Dredge operated on main stream near mouth
of Game Cr. for part of season in 1940. No data on more recent mining,
if any.

(Anaconda Cr.) Gold(?)
Council district Solomon(?)

NWZNWZNE% quad.(?)

Prospecting and rumors of coarse placer gold, 1899-1900. Anaconda Cr.
is the old name for Pargon R. Reported prospecting may have been in Ben-
deleben quad. or on a tributary. No record of gold mining in basin.

A2


rich than, that on Daniels Cr. Reported production, 1918 to World War II,
less than 1,000 oz, but may have been greater. Gold derived from veins in
schist belt. Cinnabar in concentrates. Cinnabar lodes in limestone near
mouth of creek consist of irregular masses, the largest of which was 7 ft
in maximum dimension. Chip sample across largest mass assayed 2.36% Hg-
Explored by 2 adits and a vertical shaft; no record of production. See
also (Daniels Cr.).

(Sweetcake Cr.) Gold
Council district Solomon (9.3-9.45, 16.4-16.75)
MF-445, loc. 119 64°56'-64957'N, 163°44'-163°45'W

Bedrock limestone and schist (some probably altered intrusive rock). Much
mineralized quartz and calcite in gravel. Values all within about a mile
of mouth. Most of production was between 1898 and 1906; probably 2,000

to 3,000 fine oz of placer gold. Small-scale mining, 1913, 1928, 1935-36.

(Thorp(e) Cr.) (Gulch) Gold
Council district Solomon (6.0, 15.65)
MF-445, loc. 65 64°53'N, 164°12'W

A little placer mining in 1900. Schist and limestone exposed at head of
gulch. Bedrock not reached at site of mining, which was where creek
crosses bench of Casadepaga R. Placer concentrates contained gold (some
coarse) and magnetite.

(Tubutulik R.) Gold

Koyuk district Solomon
NEXNEX quad.

Colors of gold in surface gravels of river bars found as early as 1900.
Only reported mining (in 1918) could have been anywhere in basin. See
also (Tubutulik R.) Bendeleben quad.

(Uncle Sam Mtn.) Gold(?)

Nome district Solomon (5.5, 11.0)
64938'N, 164°16'W

Quartz veins in slaty rock. No visible sulfides; specks of limonite
probably represent decomposed sulfides. Was explored by a shaft which
was not accessible in 1920. No data on possible gold content.

(Venetia Cr.) Gold
Nome district Solomon (1.1-1.5, 13.9-14.45)
MF-445, loc. 83 64°48'-64°49'N, 164°48'-164°52'W

Country rock is limestone and chloritic schist; many small quartz veins.
Placer mining was upstream from a narrow gorge near mouth; pay streak 10-
50 ft wide in floodplain 100-200 ft wide. Gold in thin creek gravel or
in bedrock crevices 2-3 ft deep. Production, 1900-03, was about 290 fine
oz; nuggets were sold to jewelers.

A25


Introduction

This report was prepared as a supplement to a 1978 report which
summarized data on mineral occurrences in the Solomon quadrangle, Alaska
(Cobb, E. H., 1978, Summary of references to mineral occurrences (other
than mineral fuels and construction materials) in the Solomon quadrangle,
Alaska: U.S. Geological Survey Open-file Report 78-181, 185 p.). Asa
result of suggestions from users of the series of which the 1978 report
is a part, this supplement is released in two parts; Part A, which pre-—
sents summaries of data to January 1, 1981, and Part B, which consists
of reference lists for each occurrence.

In Part A data from reports released between the cut-off date
(September 1, 1977) for the original report and January 1, 1981 have been
incorporated in rewritten or new summaries where appropriate; if there
are no new data on a deposit the original summary is repeated or a new
reworded version is substituted. For each deposit the name, list of
mineral commodities, and location data are in the same format as in the
1978 report. Also included is an updated list of synonyms, owner, oper-
ator, and claim names.

In Part B citations are in standard bibliographic format with the
exception that references to reports and maps in numbered publication
series also show, in parentheses, an abbreviation for the report or map
series and the number of the report or map. Abbreviations used are:

AOF Alaska Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys
(and predecessor agencies) Open-file Report

B U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin

BMB U.S. Bureau of Mines Bulletin

c U.S. Geological Survey Circular

GC Alaska Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys
(and predecessor agencies) Geochemical Report

GR Alaska Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys
(and predécessor agencies) Geologic Report

Ic U.S. Bureau of Mines Information Circular

OF U.S. Geological Survey Open-file Report

MF U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous Field Studies Map

P U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper

RI U.S. Bureau of Mines Report of Investigations

TDM Alaska Territorial Department of Mines Pamphlet

USBM OF U.S. Bureau of Mines Open-file Report

Citations tothe principal references used in preparing summaries in
Part A are preceded by an asterisk.

Because the form of citation used in the reference list for each de-
posit constitutes sufficient identification for each numbered report or
map to allow it to be found easily in most libraries, the general refer-
ence list in this report consists only of listings of reports without for-
mal identifying numbers. Numbers given to U.S. Geological Survey Open-
file Reports listed with complete titles are informal and used mainly in
to Branch of Alaskan Geology of the U.S. Geological Survey.

Al


Unnamed occurrence Tin

Council district Solomon (19.65, 10.6)
64°35'N, 162°24'W

Trace of cassiterite in sample of gravel from a small creek with a small
drainage basin.

Synonyms, Owners, Operators, and Claim Names

Adams & Edlin -- see (Goose Cr.)
Adams & Wik -- see (Goose Cr.)
Alaska Gold Dredging Co. -- see (Goldbottom Cr.), (Lower Willow Cr.),

(Warm Cr.)
Alaska Homestake Gold Mining Co. -- see (Daniels Cr.)
Alaska Mercury Corp. -- see (Swede Cr.)

Alaska Placer Co. -- see (Niukluk R.), (Ophir Cr.)
Alden -- see (West Cr.)

American Creek Dredging Co. -- see (American Cr.)
Auric Offshore Mining Co. -— see (Daniels Cr.)
(Benson Gulch) -- see (Basin Cr.)

Black Chief Mining Co. -- see (Daniels Cr.)

Blackhawk -- see (Daniels Cr.)

Blue Goose (Mining Co.) -- see (Ophir Cr.)

(Bluff) -- see (Daniels Cr.)

(Bunny Cr.) -- see (Barney Cr.)

Burness—Iverson—Johnson -- see (Big Hurrah Cr.)

(Butte Cr., S. Fork) -- see (Butte Cr.)

(Cache Cr.) -- see (Spruce Cr., E. of Solomon)

Camp Creek Dredging Co. -- see (Camp Cr.)

Canyon Creek Gold Mining Co. -- see (Canyon Cr., trib. Casadepaga R.)

Casa De Paga Gold Co. -- see (Beaver Cr.), (Casadepaga R.)

Casadepaga Gold Dredging Co. -- see (Lower Willow Cr.)

Casadepaga Mining Co. -- see (Casadepaga R.)

(Casadepaga R., Left Fork) -- see (Lower Willow Cr.)

Casa Gold Mines Co. —- see (Casadepaga R.)

Coal Creek Dredge -- see (Solomon R.)

Connor, Erichinger & Hanot -- see (Casadepaga R.)

Consolidated -- see (Daniels Cr.)

Council Dredging Co. -- see (Aggie Cr.), (Camp Cr.), (Niukluk R.)

Davie -- see (Daniels Cr.)

(Dome Cr.) -- see (Iron Cr.) [part of Iron Cr. between Left Fork and
Eldorado Cr. ]

Elkhorn -- see (Elkhorn Cr.), (Niukluk R.)

Eskimo -- see (Daniels Cr.)

Eskimo (Gold) Dredging Co. -- see (Solomon R.)

Eskimo Gold Mining Co. -- see (Solomon R.)

Esquimeaux -- see (Daniels Cr.)

Esquimo Dredging Co. -- see (Solomon R.)

Esterbrook -- see (Solomon R.)

Flodin -- see (Canyon Cr., trib. Casadepaga R.)

Flodin Gold Mining & Dredging Co. -- see (Solomon R.)

Flodin Mining & Dredging Co. -- see (Big Hurrah Cr.)

A28


(Goldbottom Cr.) Gold, Tungsten

Council district Solomon (8.1, 16.9)
MF-445, loc. 116 64°957'N, 163°55'W

Bedrock schist with interbedded crushed and crumpled limestone; some
greenstone. Many quartz veins and lenses, some pyritiferous. Placer
concentrates from near mouth of Warm Cr. contain gold, garnet, hematite,
ilmenite, and scheelite. Mining, 1900-11; dredge operated, 1911. See
also (Goldbottom Cr.) Bendeleben quad.

(Gold Moon Gulch) Gold
Council district Solomon (5.25, 15.85)
MF-445, loc. 60 64054'N, 164018'W

Gulch follows contact between schist and cavernous limestone into which
creek and ditch water disappear. Gold coarse and angular; much with
attached quartz; of local derivation. Was a little mining, probably in
1907 or 1908.

(Golovnin Bay) Niobium, RE, Tungsten, Uranium
Council district Solomon (15.75, 9.5)
MF-445, loc. 135 64031'N, 162°55'W

Concentrate from sample of slopewash that probably was derived from a
mineralized zone near contact between granite and older igneous rocks
contained magnetite, sphene, topaz, allanite, hematite, ilmenite, schee-
lite, and an unidentified uranium-titanium niobate mineral.

(Goose Cr.) Gold

Council district Solomon (4.8-5.3, 15.55)
MF-445, locs. 58, 61 64°53'N, 164°17'-164°22'W

Bedrock cavernous limestone and schist. Lower part of course cut in
terrace of Casadepaga R.; benches extend up Goose Cr. In places in creek
gold is on clay false bedrock; in others on clay layer on schist bedrock.
Placer concentrates contain garnet and magnetite. First dredge installed
(1909) would not even float because water was lost to cavernous limestone.
Mining, 1900-19. Dredging, 1911, 1916-19.

(Guy Cr.) Gold

Council district Solomon (9.9, 17.6) approx.
65°00'N, 163°40'W approx.

Creek cuts limestone and one zone of schist. Least productive creek in
Ophir Cr. area. May not carry gold. Called Gold Cr. on some maps.

(Hardluck Cr.) Gold
Kougarok district Solomon (2.8-2.9, 15.45-15.5)
MF-445, loc. 39 64°53'N, 164°37'-164938'W

Coarse, well rounded gold in slate-quartz-greenstone gravel on a thin clay
layer on bedrock. Creek heads in a limestone ridge. Placer mining before

A12


Unconfirmed report of placer cinnabar. Heavy minerals in sample froma

small stream that drains contact between granite and Paleozoic limestone
and shale include allanite, scheelite, powellite, chalcopyrite, sphene,

rutile, pyrite, magnetite, and hematite.

(Last Chance Cr., trib. American Cr.) Copper(?), Gold(?)

Council district Solomon (3.2-3.35, 15.55-15.65)
64°53'N, 164933'-164934'W

Creek was prospected for placer gold. “Shaft sunk 10 ft on a slightly
iron-stained quartz vein in limestone. One of decomposed sulfides may
have been chalcopyrite.

(Lightning Cr.) Gold
Council district Solomon (5.75, 15.4)
MF-445, loc. 63 64953'N, 164°14'W

Prospecting before 1907. Gold in creek gravels probably came from terrace
gravels 5-10 ft above stream.

(Lion Cr.) Gold
Nome district Solomon (6.0-6.1, 11.25-11.3)
MF-445, loc. 100 64938'N, 164912'W

Gold in creek in about 4 ft of gravel; richest on bedrock. Colors also
on bedrock 20 ft above creek beneath a bench. Was a little small-scale
mining in about 1903.

(Little Anvil Cr.) Gold
Council district Solomon (8.7, 10.45)
MF-445, loc. 107 64935'N, 163°51'W

Deposits similar to, but smaller than, those on Daniels Cr. Small-scale
placer mining reported; before 1903, 1916, and 1930. Includes references
to (Silver Bow Cr.).

(Lower Willow Cr.) Gold
Council district Solomon (3.6-4.9, 14.3-14.4)
MF-445, loc. 76 64949'N, 164921'-164931'W

Bedrock limestone and schist. Sulfides in quartz veins along limestone-
schist contact. Crosses bench on left side of Casadepaga R.; benches on
both sides of Lower Willow Cr. from near water level to 30 ft above it.
Stream and bench gravels were mined; much of gold coarse. Placer mining,
1900-15; dredge operated, 1911-15. Includes references to: (Koksuktapaga
R., Left Fork), (Willow Cr., trib. Casadepaga R.).

(Manila Cr.) Gold
Nome district Solomon (4.4, 10.4)
MF-445, loc. 104 64935'N, 164°25'W

Stream heads in coastal plain, gravel of which contains some gold. Creek

A15