First Chance

The First Chance is a gold mine located in Alaska.

About the MRDS Data:

All mine locations were obtained from the USGS Mineral Resources Data System. The locations and other information in this database have not been verified for accuracy. It should be assumed that all mines are on private property.

Mine Info

Satelite View

MRDS mine locations are often very general, and in some cases are incorrect. Some mine remains have been covered or removed by modern industrial activity or by development of things like housing. The satellite view offers a quick glimpse as to whether the MRDS location corresponds to visible mine remains.

Site Name

Primary: First Chance

Commodity

Primary: Gold

Location

State: Alaska
District: Fairbanks

Land Status

Not available

Holdings

Not available

Workings

Not available

Ownership

Not available

Production

Not available

Deposit

Record Type: Site
Operation Category: Past Producer
Operation Type: Unknown
Years of Production:
Organization:
Significant:

Physiography

Not available

Mineral Deposit Model

Not available

Orebody

Not available

Structure

Not available

Alterations

Not available

Rocks

Not available

Analytical Data

Not available

Materials

Ore: Gold

Comments

Comment (Deposit): Model Name = Schist-hosted gold-quartz vein

Comment (Geology): Geologic Description = Gold occurs in a 6-inch- to 4-foot-wide quartz vein that strikes N. 10 E. and dips 44 W. as seen at the surface (Hill, 1933, p. 148). The richest ore was found where the vein was narrow. The quartz vein occurs in schist that strikes north and dips 16 to 20 degrees east. By 1931, 520 tons of ore were mined from a 120-foot shaft (Hill, 1933, p. 148). All of the ore above the 100-foot level from the portal to a fault 70 feet north of it had been stoped. South of the shaft, the ore was stoped from the surface to a depth of 70 feet. A crosscut in the gulch to the north and 100 feet below the collar of the shaft was driven S. 70 W.; by 1931, this crosscut was caved 75 feet from the mouth. The gold varies from 904 to 923 fine (Glover, 1950).

Comment (Exploration): Status = Inactive

Comment (Production): Production Notes = By 1931, 520 tons of ore were mined from a 120-foot shaft (Hill, 1933, p. 148).

Comment (Reference): Primary Reference = Hill, 1933

Comment (Workings): Workings / Exploration = Ore was mined from crosscuts in a 120-foot shaft, and from surface workings as much as 70 feet deep (Hill, 1933, p. 148).

References

Reference (Deposit): Cobb, E.H., 1976, Summary of references to mineral occurrences (other than mineral fuels and construction materials) in the Fairbanks quadrangle, Alaska: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 76-662, 174 p.

Reference (Deposit): Smith, P.S., 1930, Mineral industry of Alaska in 1928: U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 813-A, p. 1-72.

Reference (Deposit): Smith, P.S., 1926, Mineral industry of Alaska in 1924: U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 783-A, p. 1-39.

Reference (Deposit): Cobb, E.H., 1972, Metallic mineral resources map of the Fairbanks quadrangle, Alaska: U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous Field Studies Map MF-410, 1 sheet, scale 1:250,000.

Reference (Deposit): Moffit, F.H., 1927, Mineral industry in Alaska in 1925: U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 792-A, p. 1-39.

Reference (Deposit): Chapman, R.M., and Foster, R.L., 1969, Lode mines and prospects in the Fairbanks district, Alaska: U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 625-D, 25 p., 1 plate.

Reference (Deposit): Glover, A.E., 1950, Placer gold fineness: Alaska Territorial Department of Mines Miscellaneous Report 195-1, 38 p.

Reference (Deposit): Smith, P.S., 1930, Mineral industry of Alaska in 1928: U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 813, p. 1-72.

Reference (Deposit): Hill, J.M., 1933, Lode deposits of the Fairbanks District, Alaska: U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 849-B, p. 29-163.

The Top Ten Gold Producing States

These ten states contributed the most to the gold production that built the West from 1848 through the 1930s. The Top Ten Gold Producing States.