The Nome nugget., 1949-02-02

Despite preliminary reports recently issued by the Federal Government that show diminished output of metallic minerals in Alaska and especially of gold dur ing the calendar year 948 compared with the preced ing year, other statistics bearing the progress of Alaska's mineral industry during the past year that have been compiled by the Office of Territorial Con- missioner of Mines tend discount the importance of the apparent decline in gold output
 Also it appears certain that final figures gold pro- ducton itself will show substantial increase above the preliminary estimates for the year that have been nounced from Washington It even appears possible that
 many prove to have been greater in 1948 than 1947 Statistics gathered and compiled by the Office of the Commissioner of Mines show that during 1948 thirty dregdeS in operation in the Territory compared with 27 during the previous year. and that 38 dragnes were Tn active compared with 35 during 1947 It IS logical to presume that the increase in heavy placer equipment thus shown will mean large output of gold. Active placer operations that employed smaller equip ment, mostly in the form of combination of budozer and hydraulic apparatus numbered 1O2, compared with 101 that productive during 1947.
 Offsettng whatever decline that may have occurred in the production of gold substantial increase in the output of industrial minerals and fuels particularly coal Final figures on the l948 output of coal from Alaska mines show production of 900 tons This output exceeds by approximately 900 tons the previ all-tme high annual production-record, which was established during the preceding year.
 During the past several years production in the Ter rtory of sand gravel and stone, for principally in airport and roadconstruction has taken rank in value with gold, coal and platinum in accounting for the total mineral wealth produced
 The indicated value of Alaskas output of sand gravel and stone during the year 1947 close $5 OOO This sum is considerably greater than the estimated value of the coal produced and approximately half that of the gold output for that year Although definite in formation on similar production during 1948 is not available is believed that there may have been an in rather than decline in production of this inn portant group of industrial minerals.
 Next to the high cost of.equipmen and supplies and the scarcity and high cost of available labor that has continued to prevail during the past year. the greatest handicap to the progress of Aaskas mineral industry undoubtedly was the uncertainty and nadequacy of maritime facilities due to strikes and other controver Sies.
 With these difficulties apparently settled by agree ments covering period of years and with lowered costs of production for which there to be hope substantial though not rapid recovery of the gold mining branch of the industry may reasonably be an- ticpated during the coming year.
 Further expansion, possibly large scale in the mining of coal and in the production of industrial erals during the coming year seems assured.
 The unprecedented high prices being paid for metal lie minerals other than gold including lead copper zinc and antmony affords strong stimulus for the de- If If hot