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White River Gold Mine

White River Gold Mine

Mine Details

Location: Alaska, USA
Commodities: Gold
Available Terms: For Sale
Price: 150,000,000

Location and Access

The White River Gold Mine is situated along the Gulf of Alaska shoreline, between Katalla and Yakutat. The claims stretch across roughly 20 miles of coastline. The White River itself flows from Russell Glacier into the Gulf of Alaska, originating from the glaciers of the Icefield Ranges in the Wrangell–St. Elias Mountains, about 150 miles northeast of Yakutat.

Description

The White River Basin Area Claim Group (WRCG), located near Cape Yakataga in South Central Alaska, comprises 154 mining claims across approximately 11,320 acres. The region is centered around the White River, a seven-mile glacial stream believed to be the source of significant gold reserves. Historically, over 15,000 ounces of placer gold were mined in the early 1900s, primarily from rich beach and bench gravels. However, much of the auriferous material remains unmined, with promising initial sampling and geological studies confirming the presence of gold-bearing alluvial and uplifted beach deposits.

The area's complex geology—characterized by Tertiary sedimentary rocks over older igneous formations, extensive glacial deposition, and tectonic uplift—has created an ideal environment for placer gold accumulation. Stream gradients ranging from 33 to 50 feet per mile, as well as the replenishing ruby sands of the current beach (one of the most energetic in the world), point to the area’s high potential. Gold-bearing sediments have been identified at depths beyond standard excavating capabilities, suggesting the possibility of deeper reserves.

Access to the WRCG is limited to bush planes, barges, and small boats, with Yakutat Airport serving as the main regional hub. Satellite communication is mandatory due to the absence of cellular service, though a new tower is planned. Despite logistical hurdles, the region offers a long operating season (9–10 months annually) and remains largely untouched. Economic projections indicate that modern mechanized mining, including large suction dredges, could make development highly profitable. Further sampling and analysis are required to define the full extent of the placer gold deposits and determine the feasibility of large-scale operations. WRCG represents a compelling opportunity for mineral exploration and investment.

History

The region of Yakutat and Icy Bay, located in southeastern Alaska along the Gulf of Alaska, holds a rich and multifaceted history shaped by Indigenous heritage, European exploration, American expansion—and the often-overlooked story of mineral exploration and potential mining. For thousands of years, Yakutat has been home to the Tlingit people. The name “Yakutat,” meaning “the place where canoes rest” in the Tlingit language, reflects the deep cultural and environmental ties of the community to the land and sea. Abundant marine and forest resources long sustained a thriving Indigenous society grounded in fishing, hunting, and complex social structures.
European contact in the late 18th century introduced a new era, as Russian and Spanish explorers arrived, largely motivated by the fur trade. In the 1790s, the Russian-American Company established a settlement known as New Russia in Yakutat, which was ultimately destroyed by the Tlingit in 1805 in a powerful act of resistance to colonial encroachment. Following the 1867 U.S. purchase of Alaska, American settlers brought fishing operations, canneries, and a new wave of economic activity. The commercial fishing industry, particularly for salmon and halibut, became—and remains—a cornerstone of Yakutat’s economy.
Alongside fishing and logging, the mineral wealth of the region has also drawn interest over time. Yakutat and Icy Bay are geologically dynamic areas, rich in mineral potential. The glacial movements that shaped Icy Bay over centuries exposed underlying geological formations containing copper, gold, and other mineral resources. Early- to mid-20th-century prospectors and geologists explored parts of the region for copper veins, molybdenum, zinc, and gold deposits. The mountainous terrain and glacial valleys hinted at valuable subterranean resources, sparking periodic interest in mineral extraction.
In particular, the Icy Bay region has become a focal point not only for scientific research into climate change and glacial retreat, but also for its geological richness. While development has remained minimal, the presence of commercially significant minerals underscores the potential.

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