The Alaska daily empire., 1916-01-10

| v ably one of the greatest copper mines of the world.
 In this connection It may be point ed out that all the copper and other refractory ores produced in Alaska are shipped out Of the Territory for treatment. Th,s condition is due to the fact that the undeveloped state of the coal fields of Alaska renders it impossible to secure supply of coke and coal for smelting purposes. With the opening of these coal fields for the commercial production of coal and coke it is probable that the con- struction of smelters at one or more points in southeastern Alaska and the Prince William Sound district will result. Alaska has vast quan- titles Of coal suitable for coke mak ing, and the development of the coal areas will greatly increase Industrial activity along many lines.
 The development of lode mines In the interior country notably in the Fairbanks district of the Panama Val ley. depends largely upon cheap fuel or cheap power. There are large num- bers of promising mining properties in that section. but Che owners are handicapped by reason of the high cost of fuel An inferior quality of wood sells at $16 per cord. With cheap fuel or cheap electrical power assured wonderful impetus will be given to the development of these mines on Q permanent basis The mining of low-grade placer gravels would also follow.
 With the completion of the Govern ment railroad Co the Panama Valley the coal areas of the Nenana River fields will be made accessible and cheaper fuel end cheap electrical power will be assared.
 The placer.gold production Of the present calendar year promises to exceed that of 1914. The open sea son has been favorable for this kind of mining in many sections. there having been on abundance of rain, which is so necessary to placer min Ing. Several new discoveries have been reported. and in number of the older districts the output will probably exceed that of last year be- cause of the more favorable cond'- tions which have prevailed for min ing operations.
 New placer mining districts which have come into prominence during the year are CD the Tolovana region. where a strike was reported last winter. and @ the Wild River dis trict. The Tolovana district is con- tiguous to the Panama Valley coun- try. the Toiovana River being a tribu- tary of the Panama River. The work already done indicates that a mining camp of comparatively large propor- tions will be developed Fairbanks is the supply point of the new camp. The Wild River is an affluent of the Koyukuk River, and while the ex- tent of the strike has not been def- nitely determined. some remarkably rich pay has been found. An increas- ed gold production is also promised in the Ruby district. discovered in 1911, which has produced a fair amount of gold each year New de- velopments in the Salatna section bid fair to add materially to the output of the district this year
 The leading gold dredging section of the Territory thus far developed is found Tn Seward Peninsula. north western Alaska. The first gold dredge In Alaska was operated on Solomon River in 1905. Its success was quick fly demonstrated and the installation of other dredses followed until the number now operated in the various sections Of the peninsula reaches about 50. Dredge mining ,s also sue cessfui prosecuted in the Iditarod and Circle districts with one dredge in the Fairbanks section.
 The crude methods Of mining of the early days of the Territory have practically disappeared. In pioneer days. in the summer season the min CT set up his sluice boxes in the creek bed or bottom and shoveied in the golden gravel Many fortunes were made in this way. but this kind of mining proved profitable only where the creek carried substantial values The frozen gravel was worked large lly n the winter season. the ground
 Continued on Page Five)