Unnamed mines (Lower Dome Creek in the Chatanika flats), Fairbanks Mining District, Fairbanks North Star Borough, Alaska, USAi

Regional Level Types
Unnamed mines (Lower Dome Creek in the Chatanika flats)	- not defined -
Fairbanks Mining District	Mining District
Fairbanks North Star Borough	Borough
Alaska	State
USA	Country

Location: These drift mines are located in the lower portion of Dome Creek near the Chatanika River, and are marked on the Livengood A-2 topographic map. They cover an area of approximately one mile by one-quarter mile, and are on both sides of the Elliot Highway, less than one mile NW of the town of Olnes.

Geology: Drift mining operations in the Chatanika flats on lower Dome Creek were active in the early 1900's. Most production has come from drift mines from Seatte Creek to Olnes, and from dredge operations that took place in the 1950's between the mouth of Moose Creek to Seattle Creek; these operations are described in a separate record, ARDF no. LG049. Most of the mining in 1912 and 1914 was reported to have come from near the mouth in the Chatanika flats, however, production figures generally include the drift mines that were producing south of the town of Olnes (Eakin, 1915; Ellsworth and Davenport, 1913). The depth to bedrock for all drift mining along the creek has been described as from 30 to 200 feet (Prindle, 1908; Prindle and Katz, 1913). Most likely, the depth to bedrock in the Chatanika flats is closer to 200 feet. The bedrock surface is uneven, and the pay streak was 130 to 165 feet wide within the lower 2 to 3 feet of gravel and upper 2 to 3 feet of bedrock (Prindle, 1908).

Workings: Mining by drift methods only (Cobb, 1976).

Production: Most of the mining in 1912 and 1914 was reported to have come from near the mouth in the Chatanika flats, however, production figures generally include the drift mines that were producing south of the town of Olnes (Eakin, 1915; Ellsworth and Davenport, 1913). By 1973, production from the entire creek was estimated to be about $4,000,000 in gold from both surface and underground workings (Cobb, 1973).

Commodities (Major) - Au

Deposit Model: Placer gold deposit (Cox and Singer, 1986; model 39a).

Other Databases

Link to USGS - Alaska:	LG044

Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality

References