The weekly chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Craig County, Okla.) 1905-1913, 1912-01-05
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
PRESS BULLETIN
Large Output of Gold and Copper, Ac-
cording to Estimates of the United
States Geological survey-other Re-
sources Show Increased Production
Completion of Copper River Rail-
road.

Alaska is on the up trend Judged
by the large advance in her mineral
production in 1911, as estimated by
Alfred H. Brooks, of the United States
Geological Survey, over the output for
1910, mining activities in the Terri.
tory during the last year have active
ly increased. This improvement is ap-
parent notwithstanding the continued
tie-up of all Alaskan Goals, the develop
ment 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 Alaskas mineral pro-
duction for 1911, is estimated at $780,
100000 OF this amount $17,15O,O0O is
to be credited to gold production,
against $16,12S,749 Tor 1910. Mr..
Brooks further estimates that the
Alaska mines produced 22,900, 900
pounds of copper in 1911, or more than
five times the Alaska copper output of
1910, which was 4,241 ,689 pounds. In
addition to gold and copper, Alaska
mines and quarries in 1911 produced
silver, tin, coal, marble, and gypsum
to an estimated value of $390,000, an
increase of over 100000 as compared
with the value of the same products
in 1910.
Mineral Output over Two Hundred
Million Dollars.
The total value of Alaska's mineral
production since mining first began in
1880 is, in round numbers, $4,000 900
or more than twenty 7nine times the
sum paid to Russia for the Territory.
OF this amount $195, 1850, 900 represents
the total value of the gold production.
Alaska produced its first copper some
ten years ago, since which time the
Territory has contributed 56,700,000
pounds of this metal, valued at $S,170,-
000 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
output of copper and, second, to the
greater production, compared with
1910, of the gold placer mines in the
Innoko-Iditarod region
New Railroad Stimulates Industry.
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 rail-
way into it. The industries already
stimulated by this line strikingly illus
trate the Importance of railway com
munication 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 substitu-
ton of oil-burning for coal-burning
engines. The importation of Califor-
MIA crude oil is rapidly increasing, with
a corresponding decrease in the use
of coal. Some new drilling was car
ried on in the Katalla oil field during
1911, one or two old wells being re-
opened and 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 au-
ried 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 mining the advance
made in developing gold lode mines
is the most encouraging feature of the
years operations Dredge mining also
made great progress, notably in tie
Nome. region. Mr.. Brooks information
is that, in the entire Territory, %
dredges were operated for the whcle
or part of the open season of 1911.
In addition to those operated, at least
half dozen were ir process of con
struction.
Need For More Railways.
At the close of 1911 there are 465
miles of railway in the Territory, COM
pared with 81 miles in 1910 This
is distributed between nine
different railways from to 1876 miles
in length, The existing railways EN-
phasize the need of additional trans
portation facilities. Che most urgent
need is for railway to connect an
open port on the Pacific with the Yu-
kon basin. Unit such a line is built
only the richest placevs of the interior
and only the most favorably located
lodes can be proftably exploited.