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Show Alaska Mining May Be Resumed On Large Scale, Say Experts Mining Is one Industry In contrast to all the others In southeast Alaska which Is so quiet that a person could hrar a pick drop, says George Sundbcrg In a recent article. In an area of a dozen former major producers, where a single mine, the Alaska Juneau, employed 1,000 men, there Is not now a single active mining operation employing as many as half a dozen men. Yet the stirrings of mineral scouts throughout southeast Alaska are so Insistent, the Interest of large manufactures companies In search of raw materials Is so pronounced, the p -omlse of future production Is so bright that mining takes its place alongside power and the forest Industries as a corner-stcne of torn rrow's Industrial economy In the area. Instead of gold, the minerals being brought under the spotlight for future development are Iron, nickel, and copper. Though none are being produced today, all are being intensively examined by representatives of the largest stateside companies. When gold was king in the region, the AJ m'jied $80,843,000 worth of the precious metal from 1893 to 1944. A group of five mines at Treadwell earlier had accounted for $67,524,000 in production between 1885 ind 1922. The Chicago area had contributed more than $20 million in production. Other mines of significance included the Alaska Empire at Hawk Inlet and the Salt Chuck on Kansaan Peninsula. An era came to an end when the last wheel at the Alaska Juneau stopped turning in 1944. The big mine on the hillside above the capital did not run out of gold. It is estimated to have reserves which would permit another 15 years of activity on the scale which existed throughout the 1930's. The AJ and all the other low grade lode geld mines ran into a high wage and cost disintegrating situation. The other gold op erations In southeast have simply closed. When they operate again and the long view of history indicates that gold will again be worth the seeking southwest Alaska's lode gold mines will probably mine selectively, reducing the unit cost ot operation, and the life of the mines, by handling only the higher (Trade ores. With not a real mine operat- lrg, southeast Alaska's mining "industry" today la all potential. But the potential Is great. The difference now over the past Is that some of the nations's largest mining Interests are out In the field examining prospects In the light of present prices. Much ground Is being prospected and some Is being taked. The mining Industry In the states has not been In very healthy condition recently, either. What it wir take to put southeast Alaska and mineralized areas elsewhere back in production will be a sustained favorable market, continued prospecting and either a reduction In labor and materials or a federal tax incentive plan favor-Ins mineral production. When economic conditions In the mining industry Improve, southeast Alaska has the stuff to support substantial production. |
