WorldWide Drilling Resource

The El Dorado Gold Mine by Harry W. Short, Engineering Geologist The El Dorado Mine at Fox, near Fairbanks, Alaska, became a historic mine when gold was found in 1902. The El Dorado Gold Mine was a placer mining claim operated by the "Swede Brothers" of Fairbanks. The mine's exact ownership history for much of the first half of the 20th century is unclear, though it is known the mine changed hands several times. The mid-20th century was a turbulent period for the El Dorado, as gold mining was halted by order of President Franklin D. Roosevelt during World War II, and individual mining claims were hamstrung by the government's imposition of a fixed price for gold. Small claims became less and less profitable to mine, and operations at El Dorado ground to a halt. (Gold mines closed all over the country at this time.) The mine was purchased by Andrew Wescott, a Fairbanks gold miner in the late 20th century. Wescott, realizing the profitable days of solo mining in interior Alaska had passed, so he began to rebuild the El Dorado Gold Mine as an informational tour site. It eventually became such a popular stop for tourists, Wescott could not handle the increased business by himself. In 1990, he entered a partnership with the Binkley family of Fairbanks, and they managed the property together. Wescott eventually sold his interest in the mine to them. The mine operates May through September, and offers daily tours on a narrow gauge train named the Tanana Valley Railroad. A two-hour guided tour takes you through a per- mafrost tunnel. Permafrost is a problem because water is drawn into the fine sediments by capillary action and ice forms. Upon melting, the ground shrinks and subsides unevenly, becoming a geologic hazard for construction. “Thermokarst” is the geologic word for this phenomenon. Enjoy a walking tour of the mining camp and meet and talk with Alaskan miners as you learn about gold prospecting. After a short course in gold mining, grab a pan and try your hand at panning. Take a little home in your poke! El Dorado Gold Mine is an exciting hands-on adventure for the whole family. Harry michele@worldwidedrillingresource.com )0&"%1 "6)&4 ,, ,, 2)&0 -%3120*"+ )0&"%1 "-% 312., )0&"%1 "-3'"$230&0 .' -&02*" !&+%&% 0*++ */& 3"+ !"++ 0*++ */& !*0&+*-& 0*++ .% "1*-( .,/.1*2& !*0&+*-& 0*++ .%1 .-*$ 0*++ */& "1*-( *21 &0$311*.- "1*-( *21 0*++ .++"01 *1)*-( ..+1 3#1 2"02&0 .%1 "-% 2"#*+*7&01 0*++ */& -$ )*0% 2 8 !*-12&% ).-& 8 8 "5 2., %0*++/*/&*-$ $., 8 444 %0*++/*/&*-$ $., 55 WorldWide Drilling Resource ® NOVEMBER 2015