The Nome nugget., 1925-02-07

hundreds of miles of known mineral bearing terri tory untouched by the hand of industry owing to the absence of roads and resultant d.fnculties of transportation.
 The noted geologist. Dr. Afrel H. Brooks. of the United States Geological Survey Bureau. has es- timated that there over 21O square miles ot placer gold deposits within the confines of Seward Peninsula In addition there are numerous gold deposits in lode form scattered throughout the dis trict. Of these 21O square miles of placer gold scarcely than 50 square miles have been touched by the miner. although their value has been known for years while among the literally hundreds of quartz deposits presenting productive possibilities there is not producing values. This remarkable condition is due almost entirely absence of highways during the greater part of the two decades of gold production
 Gold mining at Nome is al present carried on greatly by the use of dredges. The principal com panes interested here the Hammon Consoli- dated Gold Fields and the Alaska Mines Corpora ton. The former concern is at present operating three mammoth electric Tuba dredges the tun- dra the and enjoying very favorable The power for these dredges is generated the companys modern electric plant in the city The latter company is operating large dredge powered by Deisel engines at this time and planning extending their activities and adding electrical equipment with their new improvements These two companies have gained control of con- siderable amount of the tundra area extending from the beach to the hills and making rapid strides toward working it to the limit with many years of work in sight. Cold water thawing is used cessfully and greatly aids in the functions of the dredges
 Despite the deterrng conditions under which it of the Alaska placer mining regions in 1920. It produced gold values at s1317S19O0 compared to combined total of s1.s6s.o76Oo from all other placer districts. Eighteen dredges, about seventy five open mines and thirteen deep or under ground placers were operated about $50 being employed Regarding the future placer outlook, Dr. Alfred H. Brooks of the '. & Geological Sur vey, says "It estimated some years ago Isosl that the value of the gold in the gravel plain. ancient beach and high beach placers of Seward Peninsula about s215.00O. 900. %. subtractng the amount of gold that has since been mined from these deposits leaves the value of the reserves s20o,OOo .OOO.OO. Though the above es- inmates of the available placer reserves may appear extravagant to some comparison will be shown that they moderate With the return of nal conditions. development has increased steadily in recent months and several important small strikes have been made result of renewed pros pecting efforts.
 Platinum
 Platinum valued at s34,Os7.0o was produced in Alaska in 1920, large portion being obtained in the Nome District. The bulk of the Nome output mined from the Dime Creek placers. although recoveries of considerable value were made on Bear and Sweepstakes Greeks. and at Willow Creek. Until 1916 no effort made to this valu able metal. but each succeeding year witnesses an increased output efforts at recovery extended.