The Leavenworth echo. [volume] (Leavenworth, Wash.) 1904-current, 1911-12-29
$2O,OOO,OOO IN 1911.
Large Output Of Gold and Copper in
AIaSka-RaiIrOad Finished


production in 1911, as estimated by
Alfred H. Brooks, Of the United States
Geological survey, over the output Tor
1910, mining activities in the territory
during the last year have actively in
creased. This improvement is apparent
Notwithstanding the continued tie up
of all Alaska Goals, the development OF
which would, it is believed, give a
greatly added impetus to the territory's
various industries. The fuel demand
is being partially met, however, by the
use OF fuel oil.
The value of Alaska's mineral pro-
duction for 1911, is estimated at $780,
100000. OF this amount SIT, $50, 900
is to be credited to gold production,
against SO, 128,749 for 1910. Mr..
Brooks further estimates that the Alaska
mines produced 22,o00,000 pounds Of
copper in 1911, or more than five times
the Alaska copper output OF 1910,
which was 4,241, 500 pounds. In ad-
dition to gold and copper, Alaska mines
and quarries in 1911 produced silver,
tin, coal, marble and gypsum to an es-
timated value of $500, 1000, an increase
of over 100000 as compared with the
value of the same products in 1910.
The total value of Alaska's mineral
production since mining first began in
1880 is, in round numbers, $206, 000,-
900, or more than twenty-nine times
the sum paid to Russia for the territory.
Of this amount $1o5, 100000 repre-
sents the total value of gold production.
Alaska produced its first copper some
ten years ago, since which time that
territory has contributed Sc, 100000
pounds of this metal, valued at 49,
10000. About 40 per cent of this
total amount was produced in 1911.
The favorable showing made by the
Alaska mining industry during the
year is due, first, to the very large out
put of copper and, second, to the
greater production, compared with
1910, OF the gold placer mines in the
Innoko- Iditarod region.
Aside from the increased production
the most important event of the year
was the opening of the Copper river
region by the completion of the railway
into it. The industries already stimu
lated by this line strikingly illustrate
the importance of railway communica-
ton to Alaska. AS no progress was
made in the opening of the coal fields,
the needs for cheap fuel in Alaska are
being met by the substitution of oil
burning for coal-burning engines. The
importation of California crude oil is
rapidly increasing with corresponding
decrease in the use of coal. Some
new drilling was carried on in the
Katalla oil fields during 1911, one or
two old wells being reopened and a
small production made.
Although most of the gold still comes
from the placers, much progress was
made during 1911 in paving the way
for an increased output from auriferous
lodes. This work was carried on in
most OF the gold-bearing areas Of Alaska
but the most notable advances were in
the Juneau, Valdez, Kenai Peninsula,
Willow Creek and Fairbanks districts.
Aside from the increase in copper min
ing the advance made in developing
gold lode mines is the most encourage
ing feature OF the years operations.
Dredge mining also made great progress
notably in the Nome region. Mr..
Brooks information is that, in the en-
tire territory, twenty-five dredges were
operated for whole or a part Of the
open season Of 1911. In addition to
those operated, at least half dozen
were in process of construction.
At the close of 1911 there are 465
miles of railway in the territory, COM
pared with 371 miles in 1910. This
mileage is distributed between nine
different railways from to 1876 miles
in length. The existing railways en-
phasize the need of additional trans
portation facilities. The most urgent
need is for a railway to connect an
open port on the Pacific with the
Yukon basin. Until such a line is
built only the richest placers of the in
terror and only the most favorably To-
Gated lodes can be proftably exploited.