Gold Placers in the McGrath Mining District of Alaska
The McGrath mining district is in the area of the Kuskokwim River drainage directly above the Stony River. Gold was first discovered here in 1910 on Moore Creek and that very same creek has been mined from time to time up until the present day when lode gold source exploration continues (see Full Metal Minerals press release)alongside a pay to mine concession for metal detectorists. Each season, many large gold nuggets continue to be found on Moore Creek. In the past, both stream and bench placers were worked on Moore Creek using hydraulic methods. Mining also occured near the headwaters of Moore Creek on Fourth of July Creek.
Even though Moore Creek might be at the forefront of many people's minds today when they think of the McGrath mining district, it is certainly not the most productive creek. That distiction belongs to Candle Creek. Gold was discovered on Candle Creek in 1913 and mining continued there unabated until World War II. Copious amounts of cinnabar present in the concentrates at Candle creek, so much so that they were refined and the mercury was sold as well on a local basis.
In 1917, placer gold was found in Hidden Creek and Ruby Creek as well as in other streams in the immediate vicinity. Placers in this area were traced to lode deposits which yeilded considerably more gold than the placers themselves. Despite this, the gold placers in the Hidden and Ruby Creek area were mined until the mid 30's.
A hand mining operation was carried out on Alder Creek for a few years between 1929 and 1933 when roughly 65 ounces were recovered but large boulders in the large cut placer ended the venture.
Also mined in the 20's and 30's was Eagle creek which lies a few miles southwest of the Hidden/Ruby area. Smaller placers were also found in the creeks of the surrounding area.
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