Fairbanks Daily News-Miner from Fairbanks, Alaska • Page 13

Fairbanks Daily ftaws-Mintr, May RESOURCE State reports 9 S9 mining action (Though total production of minerals decreased in 1969 from the previous year, total exploration expenditures more than doubled, indicating a vigorous revival of interest in the state's mining prospects. Following is a detailed breakdown by the State Division of Mines and Geology on production and exploration in 1969. Alto, please see Map, Page A-f. Precious metals Gold production decreased in 1969 by approximately 5,000 troy ounces. This decrease appears to be primarily due to the steady decline in gold prices on the free market.

The year ended with the price at a new low of 335.27, which is equivalent to the "official price" of the U.S. Government. As a result of lower production and prices the value of gold produced in Alaska was $155,000 less than in 1968. The United States Smelting, Refining, and Mining Company's gold dredge continued operating on the Hogatza River. Offshore placer exploration and development was carried out by Shell Oil American Smelting and Refining Aurora Mining Inlet Oil, Rowan Drilling, and International Nuclear Corp.

This increased exploration can be expected to result in increased production within the next few years. Goodnews Bay Mining Co. continued to produce platinum, while International Nuclear explored possible platinum sources in Icy Bay. 3ase metals Mercury was produced during 1969 but production figures are not available. Robert Lyman continued operating his White Mountain mine with success and Diamond Shamrock continued work on the old Schaffer property on Cinnabar Creek.

The Red Top mine was also reported to be in production during 1969. Mercury exploration continued throughout the State and production should increase in future years. The Lee Brothers continued to mine tin at Goodwin Gulch on the Seward Peninsula and accounted for the only tin production in the state. Extensive copper exploration was carried out throughout the state with major expenditures in Southeast Alaska. Hanna Mining Co.

optioned patented claims covering the old Kennecott Mother Lode property in the McCarthy district and Bear Creek Mining continued work at Bornite. Coal Coal production decreased this year. The Nenana field produced all the commercial coal used in the state during 1969. Increased interest in coal by Japanese companies has renewed hopes of developing the Bering River field. The Japanese companies have also shown interest in developing the Arctic Kukpowruk River coals.

PROSPECTING AND EXPLORATION i Arctic Alaska I i i a a approximately $1,080,000 were spent in 1969 for exploration in Arctic Alaska. Lack of accurate information makes this a very approximate estimate. Development of the Chandalar gold mining and milling facilities continued. A shakedown run of ore was processed by the mill. Dear Creek Mining Co.

continued drilling and geologic studies of its Bornite copper property. The company continued exploration elsewhere along the southern flanks of the Brooks Range, and staked claims north of the Settles River. Reed Mineral Exploration Co. was reported to be working in Arctic Alaska, as was ALVenCo, a syndicate under the direction of Clyde Wetherell of Anchorage. A i i i i i a prospectors in this part of Alaska was apparently light.

Interior Alaska Exploration expenditures in Interior Alaska during 1969 are estimated at $750,000. Busty Belle Mines, continued development work on their property in the Fox area. Glen Exploration, Inc. installed gold recovery machinery on the firm's placer gold property in the Kantishna district. ASARCO, Earth Resources, and Cache Creek Mining Co.

were (Set MINING, Page A-3) omtfott tmterrmpta the monotony of a Worth Slope Low-lying cloud cover obscures rig's top at BP Alaska development drilling site. Story, other photos, Pages (Staff Photo by JoeLaRocca) Inside this week's oil tab A personality clash erupts between Senate President Brad Phillips and director of the state's Oil Gas Homer Burrell, over a bill which would require oil companies to divulge more information concerning drilling results. Page A-2. The mining industry more than doubled ite expenditures in 1969 over the previous year looking for mineral prospects in Alaska, and while actual mineral production was down last year, intensified exploration indicates a probably increase in future production. The State Division of Mines and Geology reports on last year's activity, (above), and releases a map showing know mineral reserves in Alaska, Page A-4.

Our regular weekly feature, RESOURCES REVIEW, offers a comprehensive compilation of the past week's most significant news affecting oil and resource'devetopment in Alaska, Page A-6. Somethina funny happens to the Putuligayuk River on the way to Prudhoe Bavand BP Alaska which needs to cross the arctic strewn tott.drilling.ttea, decided somethinghrt to be done about it, Page A-6. RESOURCEFULLY A SECOND MAJOR resource development project in Alaska-the $60 million Snettisham Hydroelectric Power Project-has collided head-on with the new federal law on environmental quality, and its high-voltage ramifications may come as a shock to some. It heralds only the beginning of the far-reaching effects which the new National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 will thrust upon the nation at large, as well as resource-rich Alaska, its least-developed state. The Army Corps of Engineers, which is in charge of the Snettisham project, has ordered a public hearing for next Friday in Juneau "to discuss the features of the project, both under construction and proposed, and (See RBSOURCEFULL Page.