Coal Creek Mines, Circle Mining District, Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area, Alaska, USAi

Regional Level Types
Coal Creek Mines	Group of Mines
Circle Mining District	Mining District
Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area	Census Area
Alaska	State
USA	Country

Coal Creek Hydraulic Mining Association; Emily Association.

The head of Coal Creek crosses metamorphic rocks and greenstone of Paleozoic age, and as the river flows northward, it crosses a belt of Upper Cretaceous to Tertiary conglomerate and other sedimentary rocks (Brabb and Churkin, 1969; Dover and Miyaoka, 1988). Placers are not found south of the conglomerate belt, and placer grounds drop sharply in value at the north edge. The placers were largely derived from the conglomerate, which was derived in turn, from the older metamorphic rocks. This interpretation is supported by the presence of garnets and garnetiferous schist in the gravels (Prindle and Mertie, 1912; Cobb, 1973 (B 1374)). Monazite has also been reported in concentrates (Bates and Wedow, 1953). Mean fineness values from 16 assays were 897 parts Au per thousand and 96 parts Ag per thousand (Mertie, 1942). Active mining and prospecting took place intermittently between 1902 and 1986. In 1986, the land was donated to the National Park Service (National Park Service, 1990). Large-scale placer mining along Coal Creek and its tributaries began in 1934. In 1934, placer claims along Coal Creek extended for 7 miles, reaching to Colorado Creek. A bucket-line floating dredge began operation along the creek in 1935, and a tractor-haul road was constructed to the Yukon River. Between 1936 and 1957 92,385 ounces of placer gold were recovered from Coal Creek by the owners of the dredge, Gold Placers, Inc. (National Park Service, 1990). Mining along Coal Creek continued in 1962-1964 and 1973-1986 (National Park Service, 1990).

Active mining and prospecting took place intermittently between 1902 and 1986. In 1986, the land was donated to the National Park Service (National Park Service, 1990). Large-scale placer mining along Coal Creek and its tributaries began in 1934. In 1934, placer claims along Coal Creek extended for 7 miles, reaching to Colorado Creek. A bucket-line floating dredge began operation along the creek in 1935, and a tractor-haul road was constructed to the Yukon River (National Park Service, 1990).

This site is within the Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve.

Other Databases

Link to USGS - Alaska:	CY006
Link to USGS MRDS:	10233412

Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality

References