The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1912-01-01
TWENTY MILLIONS FROM ALASKA
1911 Output of Gold and Copper Was
Very Large.


Very Large.
Alaska is on the up trend. Judged
by the large advance in her mineral
production in 1911, as estimated by Al
fred II. Brooks of the United States
Geological Survey, over the output for
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 Alaskan Goals, the development OF
which would, it is believed, give a great
" added impetus to the territory's yari-
GUS industries. The fuel demand is be-
ing partially met, however, by the use
of fuel oil.
The value of Alaska's mineral produc-
tion for 1917 is estimated at $40, 900.
OF this amount SIT, 100000 is to be
credited to gold production against &c.
l2S,749 for 1910. Mr. Brooks further
estimates that the Alaska mines pro
duced 22000000 pounds of copper in
1911, or more than five times the Alaska
output Of 1910, which was 4,24l $50
pounds. In addition to gold and copper,
Alaska mines and quarries in 1911 pro
duced silver, tin, coal, marble. and gyp-
sum to an estimated value of 100000,
an increase of over 100000 as com
pared with the value of the same prod
ucts in 1910.
Mineral Output Over Two Hundred Mil
lion Dollars.
The total value of Alaska's mineral
production since mining first began in
1880 is, in round numbers, 100000, 900,
or more than twenty-nine times the SUM-
paid to Russia for the territory. OF this
amount l05,950,000 represents the to-
tai 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,l70.000. About ~
per cent. of this total amount was pro-
duced 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
prod uction, compared with 1910, of the
gold placer mines in the Innoko- lditarod
region.
New Railroad Stimulates Industry.
Aside from the increased production,
the most important event OF the year
was the opening OF the Copper river re-
gion 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 a corresponding
decrease in the use of coal. Some new
drilling was carried on in the katalla
oil field during the 1911, one or two old
wells being reopened and small produe
ton made,
Good Prospects for Increased Lode
Mining.
Although most OF the gold still comes
from the placers much progress was
made during 1917 in paving the way for
an increased output from auriferous
lodes. This work was carried on in
most OF the gold bearing areas Of Alas
lta, but the most notable advances were
III 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 il the most encouraging fea-
ture Of the years operations. Dredgr
mining also made great progress, notably
in the Nome region. Mr.. Brooks in
formation is that, in the entire territory,
% dredges were operated for the whole
or part OF the open season of 1911.
In addition to those operated, ut least
half dozen We're in process OF con-
struction.
Need for More Railways.
At the close Of 1917 there are 49, miles
of railway in the territory, compared
with 37l miles in 1910. This mileage
Is distributed between nine different
railways from TO 1876 miles in length.
The existing railways emphasize the
need of additional transportation facili-
ties. The most urgent need is for rail
way to connect an open port on the
Pacific with the Yukon BASIN Until
such line is built, only the richest
placers OF the interior and only the most
favorably located lodes can be profitably
exploited.