Is there virgin mining ground left in Alaska”?
There is gold all over Alaska, and it is far from mined out. But, it is true that most of the deposits that can be located with simple prospecting equipment have been found. The ones that remain are likely to be deeper deposits requiring more than pans and shovels to locate. Of the known deposits, 99% are claimed. My advice to anyone who knows of a gold-bearing stream in Alaska is to assume it is claimed until it is PROVEN otherwise. However, even if it is unclaimed , it may be that it is closed to mining (parks) or on Native lands. Looking for true virgin ground is a long shot, but possible. Again, you need money. Aggressive drilling of placer ground in known mining districts will no doubt find deeper creek and bench deposits. But it would be a full-time job, and checking just one potential area could take an entire summer. Finding remnant areas of virgin ground at old mining sites is much easier. The couple yards of rich material left in a corner by a cat miner would be a major score
