INCOME OPPORTUNITY • • • •
Eco Tourism Gold Mine Tourism Conservation Mitigation Gold Mining
In 1990, geologist Paul A. Metz wrote that ‘dredging on Woodchopper Creek accounted for the majority of the past gold production of 117,564 troy ounces...’ Data released by the Alaska Gold Company from its past dredging operations (at the creek) indicates that the bucket line dredges on the average recovered 90% of the contained free gold in the processed gravels. These reports collectively portray Woodchopper Creek as a well-known source of precious metals and for the presence of other recoverable metals, including tungsten, tin, iron, and rare earths. Rare Earths at Woodchopper Creek Rare earths are 17 metallic elements identified in the middle of the periodic table as atomic numbers 21, 39, and 57–71. These metals have unusual fluorescent, conductive, and magnetic properties, which make them very useful when mixed in small quantities with more common metals such as iron. The “rare” in rare-earth elements is a historical misnomer. The U.S. Geological Survey finds that many rareearth elements are as common as other industrial metals, such as chromium, nickel, tungsten, or lead. Even the two least abundant rare-earth elements (thulium and lutetium) are nearly 200 times more common than gold. These elements are labeled “rare” because, in contrast with other metals, rare earths do not often concentrate in exploitable ore deposits. Consequently, most rare earths come from a small number of sources. As an example of their many beneficial characteristics, rare-earth batteries offer greater energy density, better discharge characteristics, and fewer environmental problems upon disposal. High-strength rareearth magnets have allowed numerous electronic components used in appliances, audio and video equipment, computers, vehicles, communication systems, and military gear to be miniaturized. Fiberoptic cables that use erbium can transmit signals over long distances because the erbium amplifies the signal. 12
Woodchopper Gold Claim | Circle, Alaska
