Yellow Bucket Mine

The Yellow Bucket Mine is  located within the boundaries of Missoula Gulch.

Yellow Bucket Mine (Missoula Gulch Claim) – Technical & Historical Report

Prepared For:

MarleneAffeld

Oregon Gulch Exploration

Location and Site Description

Legal Location: The Yellow Bucket Mine lies on the Missoula Gulch placer claim in the SW¼ of Section 2 and NW¼ of Section 11, Township 15 North, Range 28 West, in Mineral County, Montana. 

This places it in the Cedar Creek Mining District about 16 miles southwest of Superior. The claim sits near the confluence of Bonanza, Missoula, and Oregon Gulches, roughly 2 miles north of Oregon Peak, on a bench adjacent to Oregon Gulch. Coordinates & Elevation: Approximate center at 47.086°N, 115.107°W (WGS84), with site elevations around 4,880 feet (1,487 m) above sea level. 

The surrounding terrain is mountainous and heavily forested, with ridges up to 6,863 feet at nearby Mink Peak . A seasonal Forest Service access road (reached via the main Cedar Creek Road) leads to the claim area, providing road access in snow-free months.

Historical Background

Gold Rush Era (1869–1900): The Cedar Creek district was first placer-mined in 1869 after rich gold strikes by prospector Louis Barrette . A rush ensued – by 1870, camps like Forest City and Louiseville boomed, and the district’s population reportedly swelled to thousands . Cedar Creek became one of Montana’s notable placer regions, yielding an estimated $2–10 million in gold by 1935. 

Early mining was done by hand, sluice, and hydraulic methods on creeks and bench gravels. A connected-bucket dredge was briefly deployed in 1912 on Cedar Creek – an early attempt at mechanized placer mining in the district .

Montana Dredge & Engineering Co. (1930s): The next major development came in 1930, when Montana Dredge & Engineering Company (Guy L. Covington, president) acquired a block of claims on the Big Flat, just downstream of Missoula Gulch. 

Covington renovated an old Big Flat mining camp and erected new structures closer to the creek, anticipating large-scale operations. In 1931, with local prospector Charlie Miller as guide, Covington’s crew built the first real road into the Big Flat placers – extending the rough Cedar Creek wagon road from “LaCasse’s Camp” over Miller’s Saddle and down into Big Flat. 

This road-building feat opened the upper Cedar Creek area to machinery. The company brought in a dry land dredge and other equipment, intending to dredge or mechanically dig the creek gravels. Historic records indicate that gravels were indeed excavated to bedrock with a 4½-foot bucket line dredge or shovel around this time . However, the operation was short-lived – likely due to the financial strains of the Great Depression. 

By the mid-1930s Montana Dredge & Engineering had ceased work, leaving behind camp buildings and the rusting shovel (which Forest Service historians photographed in the 1970s) as testimony to this ambitious but unfulfilled venture .

Continued Small-Scale Mining: Despite the end of large operations, Cedar Creek’s placers continued to be mined on a small scale by local miners and companies. Placer gold production in the district persisted “almost continuously” through the early 20th century , though annual output by then was modest (typically $1,000–$50,000 per year in the pre-WWII era). 

Missoula Gulch and adjacent Bonanza and Oregon Gulches saw periodic activity – small sluice operations, drifting into bench gravels, and re-working of old tailings. The gold from this area was exceptionally high purity (reported fineness of 0.950–0.982), valued at $19.75–$20.45 per ounce when the official price was $20.67 . Gold occurs as fine flakes and occasional coarse pieces, noted for their high quality.

1971 USFS Inventory – “Yellow Bucket” Workings: 

By the late 1960s, most Cedar Creek claims were dormant or worked only intermittently. In September 1971, a U.S. Forest Service engineer, John B. Burleson, inspected the Missoula Gulch (Yellow Bucket) site as part of a mining claim inventory . 

Accompanied by Geoffrey F. Wilson (Superior Ranger District resource assistant), Burleson documented the small-scale placer operation then in progress. 

According to his September 11, 1971 field report, “Placer gravel is being washed from two hand-dug pits located about 150 feet due east of the cabin on Oregon Gulch. Water is conveyed to these pits by approximately 400 feet of 2-inch plastic pipe” . The water was piped from a stream (Oregon Gulch) to the excavated pits, where gravels were shoveled into a small washing plant. 

The report noted that the material was screened and run through roughly 150 feet of sluice boxes, with tailings discharged downslope. This setup – essentially a portable pump, pipe, and sluice system – earned the claim its moniker “Yellow Bucket” (after the plastic buckets/tubs used). 

Burleson’s 1971 notes indicate the operation was rudimentary but active, recovering fine gold from shallow bench gravels. At that time the claim owner was listed as Smith-Thompson Mining Co. , and at least two people were working the pits.

 No production figures were given, but activity was described as “small-scale,”.

 The Forest Service files from 1971 remain a key historic reference, confirming that Yellow Bucket had known gold showings and accessible water for mining .

Modern Era (1980s–Present): Since the 1970s, the Yellow Bucket claim has changed hands several times, primarily among small miners and prospectors. 

The U.S. Geological Survey MRDS record (compiled in 1980) still listed Smith Thompson Mining Co. as the owner/operator and categorized Yellow Bucket as a gold occurrence of interest but not yet a significant producer. 

Through the 1980s and 1990s, only exploratory work and recreational panning occurred as gold prices fluctuated. In recent years, with gold prices strong, the claim has drawn renewed interest for a potential placer revival. 

Claim maintenance filings are current (the claim is unpatented on federal land), and access roads have been kept in usable condition by recreational miners and the Forest Service. 

No large-scale mining has been done on Missoula (Yellow Bucket) Gulch to date – meaning the ground remains essentially virgin, aside from the small pit areas from historical hand mining. This presents an opportunity to systematically evaluate and develop the placer with modern methods for the first time.

Geological Setting and Placer Gold Occurrence

Regional Geology: The Yellow Bucket placer lies within the Northern Rocky Mountains physiographic province . Bedrock in the Cedar Creek area is mainly Belt Supergroup metasedimentary rocks intruded by Cretaceous granitic stocks of the Idaho Batholith to the south. 

The gold found in the placers originated from auriferous quartz veins in the nearby highlands – specifically, veins associated with igneous dikes that cut the Belt-age metasediments of the Bitterroot Mountains . Erosion of these gold-bearing veins over geologic time freed the gold, which was then concentrated by gravity and water action into the stream and bench gravels of Oregon Creek and its tributaries. Notably, small chalcopyrite-bearing lodes occur in the area and carry minor copper and silver.

Placer Deposit Characteristics: 

The Oregon Gulch Project  placers are classic gulch and bench placers formed in a steep mountain drainage. In the claim vicinity, Cataract, Bonanza and Missoula Gulch drop out of narrow canyons and join Oregon Creek Creek on a broader flat (Big Flat). 

Over millennia, this area saw episodes of flooding and stream course shifts that left pay streaks in both the modern creek bed and older high benches. Gold is found in coarse gravels and sand, often concentrated on or near bedrock and in natural riffles (crevices) of the creek bottom. 

The bench gravels adjacent to Missoula and Oregon Gulches – where the Yellow Bucket workings are located – sit about 6–15 feet above the current stream level,

 suggesting they are remnant terraces from an earlier, higher channel. These bench gravels are moderately sorted, containing rounded cobbles of quartzite, granite, and siltstone up to 8 inches in diameter, with sandy matrix. 

Black sands (heavy mineral concentrate) are common and include magnetite, ilmenite, and some garnet, typical of high-density residuals accompanying placer gold.

Gold in the Yellow Bucket area is reported as fine flakes and grains, with occasional small nuggets up to a few pennyweight. Colors (flakes) can be panned from surface alluvium, but richer pay is expected on bedrock or false bedrock (e.g. clay layers). 

Evidence of prior enrichment: The 1971 Burleson report noted visible fine gold in the sluice concentrates, and earlier 1930s accounts describe “flour gold” recovery by hand miners. 

The exceptional fineness (95%+ Au) of Oregon Creek gold suggests it did not travel far from its lode source before deposition . Thus, pay streaks may be relatively localized.

The geomorphology is favorable: Bonanza, Missoula, and Cataract Gulches all act as tributaries feeding gold into the claim area. Each had its own small gold workings historically. 

Their junction at Big Flat likely created a natural collection point for gold – essentially a placer “triple-point” of three gulches. Missoula Gulch in particular has a broad west bank (the Yellow Bucket bench) that likely formed as a slack-water zone during floods, allowing heavy gold particles to settle out. 

Subsurface, one can expect a classic pay layer (a “pay streak” or pay channel) on or just above bedrock, possibly irregular in outline. The bedrock here is reported as dark argillite and quartzite which, when decomposed, can form a soft false bedrock catching fine gold.

In summary, the geologic factors for placer gold concentration at Yellow Bucket are excellent: multiple gold-feeding tributaries, a convergence zone with historic rich production, high specific gravity gold shed from nearby lodes, and bench deposits likely representing preserved ancient streambeds. All indications are that significant fine gold remains in the gravels, awaiting systematic exploration.

Prior Production and Ownership Data

No precise production records exist specific to the Yellow Bucket claim, as it was never a standalone commercial mine. The placer was grouped within the broader Cedar Creek district tallies. 

By 1935 the entire district had produced at least 200,000–300,000 ounces of gold (~$2+ million at historical prices) , though the majority came from the main Cedar and Trout Creek channels and major gulches like Oregon and Windfall. Missoula Gulch’s contribution was undoubtedly real but modest; it was less extensively worked due to its remoteness and lack of large operations.

During the 1930s Big Flat venture (Covington’s operation), some gold would have been recovered as they tested gravels. Anecdotal reports in the Mineral County Press (August 27, 1931 edition) claimed that initial clean-ups from the test runs on Oregon Creek were “encouraging”. No official figures were published. The operation likely recovered only a few hundred ounces before shutting down. The old timers then largely left the remaining gold intact in the ground.

The 1971 Forest Service report did not quantify gold output from the Yellow Bucket pits, but given the small scale (a couple of miners with sluices), annual production then was perhaps on the order of a few troy ounces. The emphasis at that time was assessment and assessment rather than full production.

Ownership of the ground has seen a succession of private holders. In the early 1900s many Cedar Creek claims (including those at Missoula Gulch) were held by local prospectors or small companies. 

By 1930, Montana Dredge & Engineering Co. had leased or bonded several claims in this area for their project . 

The modern claim location was staked and recorded as the “Missoula Gulch” placer claim, which by 1971 was under Smith-Thompson Mining Co. (as per Forest Service files) .

Since the 1980s, the claim has been maintained by various individuals. For instance, in BLM records (serial # not provided here for privacy) the claim was active through the 1990s under a local family. 

The current claimholder (as of this report) is an experienced prospector who has kept the claim in good standing and conducted preliminary sampling. 

No large-scale mining or leasing to big companies has occurred so far – meaning the property is essentially an undeveloped placer prospect with considerable exploration upside.

In Montana Department of Environmental Quality’s Abandoned Mines inventory, Yellow Bucket/Missoula Gulch is not listed as a problem site – it has no environmental liabilities or cleanup issues reported.

This underscores that historical disturbance was minimal. All past workings (hand pits, small camps) are easily managed or already naturally reclaimed.

Surface Conditions, Access, and Infrastructure

Topography and Vegetation: The claim lies along a gentle bench and hillside above Oregon and Missoula Gulch creeks. The bench area (the primary target for placers) is relatively flat to gently sloping, making it amenable to trenching and mechanized stripping. 

Beyond the bench, slopes rise toward Mink Peak with fairly steep grades (20–40%). Forest cover is a mix of pine, fir, and larch, with patches of dense brush (alder and willow) in riparian zones. 

Some old timber harvests in the Oregon Creek drainage have left secondary growth and open areas nearby. The claim area itself has mature timber but also clearings created by past miners for camps and diggings.

Water Supply: Year-round water is available from Oregon Gulch, a small perennial creek that runs through the claim and from Missoula Gulch

Missoula  Gulch drainage  has sufficient flow in spring and early summer for small-scale sluicing and could likely supply a medium wash plant with water (estimated flow in June is ~50–100 gallons per minute). In late summer, flow reduces, but with small impoundments or recirculation, operations can continue. 

Historically, miners ran 400 feet of plastic pipe from Oregon Creek to their sluice pits – this suggests that even in 1971 the creek had enough water to pump to the bench. Any modern operation may consider developing a small water reservoir or use a portable pump system. .

Access and Roads: The site is accessed via Forest Road 320 (Cedar Creek Road), a well-maintained gravel road from Superior that leads 16 miles up Cedar Creek to the Big Flat area. From the main road, an older secondary mining road (rough two-track) extends up Missoula Gulch onto the claim. This road is the same route built by Charlie Miller and Covington in 1931 , upgraded slightly over the years by the Forest Service. Currently, it is passable with 4x4 vehicles in dry conditions. 

Structures and Improvements: There are no standing buildings on the claim today. Remnants exist of an old miner’s cabin (the “cabin on Oregon Gulch” referenced in 1971 – now just a collapsed log structure). A dilapidated shed and some old equipment scraps (rusty pipes, a fuel drum, etc.) were noted on a recent visit. 

For practical purposes, a new operation would start with a blank slate in terms of structures. A flat area near the creek would serve as an excellent camp site or staging area, with space for tents/RVs and a small settling pond if needed. Power and utilities are not present – operations would rely on portable generators or small solar set-ups for electricity. 

Cell phone reception is spotty to non-existent in the canyon, so communication would be via satellite phone or radio.

Climate and Operating Season: 

The region has a continental mountain climate. Summers are generally dry and warm (70–80 °F highs), with cool nights – ideal for mining work. Winters are cold and snowy: Superior (at valley floor) receives ~64 inches of snowfall annually , and the claim at higher elevation can see 8–10 feet of snow accumulation over winter. The area is typically snow-free from late May through October. 

The optimal mining season is June 1 – October 31, about 5 months. Spring runoff (April–May) can make roads muddy and streams swift; by June, conditions usually stabilize. 

Water availability is best in spring/early summer; by late July and August, Oregon Gulch flows lessen but are still adequate for recirculation setups. It is recommended to plan any heavy excavation in mid-summer when ground conditions are driest. 

The working season might be extended into November in mild years, but typically winter conditions (freezing temps and snow) halt placer operations by mid-November.

Snow can linger on shaded north slopes into late May. The claim’s bench, however, gets decent sun exposure, aiding snow melt. For exploration, one could access as soon as roads are open (often by mid-May, depending on Forest Service plowing and melt-out). 

For planning purposes, a season of 120 to 150 workable days per year is assumed. During that window, water is sufficient and daylight long (Montana summers have ~16 hours of light in June).

In terms of extreme weather, summer thunderstorms can occur (July–August) but are usually brief. Fire season overlaps with late summer; the area is wooded so a fire plan is prudent (the claim itself has water handy, which is a plus). 

Overall, conditions favor a solid summer mining campaign with minimal weather downtime.

Placer Gold Potential and Sampling Plan

The Yellow Bucket claim represents a high-potential, yet under-explored placer target in a historically rich district. All signs point to remaining gold reserves in the bench gravels and stream channel that were never systematically mined. To quantify this potential for investors, a phased exploration and development program is recommended:

Phase 1 – Preliminary 

Sampling (Weeks 1–4): Begin with mapping and panning to define gold-bearing zones. Hand-dug test pits or trenches (using a small backhoe) should be placed across the bench at several transects. 

Each pit would go to bedrock (anticipated 6–10 feet depth) to sample the pay gravel just above bedrock. Sluice or pan concentrate samples from each pit to assess gold content (e.g. colors per pan, or grams per cubic yard). In addition, perform some stream bar sampling in Missoula/Oregon Gulch channels to see if a pay streak is present in the active creek. 

The goal of Phase 1 is to identify the highest-value section of the claim (e.g. pay streak trending NW-SE along the bench, or pay concentrated near the confluence). If a high grade spot is found (for example, Pit #3 shows 0.2 oz/ton in a 1-yard sample ), that area becomes the focus for Phase 2. 

During Phase 1, basic equipment needed is minimal (backhoe, high-banker sluice, water pump) and permits can be covered under a Notice of Intent since disturbance will be under 5 acres.

Phase 2 – Bulk Testing (Weeks 5–12): With promising zones identified, bring in a portable trommel or wash plant to conduct bulk sampling. Excavate a series of pits or a small test trench in the richest area (e.g. a 50-foot by 30-foot trench to bedrock). Run the material through a trommel/sluice system with adequate water recycling. 

Measure yardage processed and gold recovered to calculate grade (opt or grams/ton) more accurately. This phase essentially simulates a pilot-scale mining operation on perhaps 500–1,000 cubic yards of gravel. It will provide vital info on gold grade, particle size distribution, and recovery rates with mechanized equipment. 

If Phase 2 yields economic grades (for example, 0.1 oz per yard or better), we can move confidently to mine planning. If results are sub-economic, we can reevaluate other portions of the claim or different mining methods before proceeding.

Phase 3 – Full-Scale Placer Development (Weeks 13+ or following season): Assuming positive Phase 2 results, the project can transition to small-scale production. 

This would involve scaling up to a larger wash plant (e.g. 50-100 yard per hour plant), installing necessary infrastructure (settling ponds, camps, etc.), and mining the pay gravels in phases, likely using an excavator and dozer. 

A prudent approach is modular mining in strips: mine a section, process material, reclaim as you go, then move to next section. 

The mine plan can target perhaps 10,000 cubic yards in the initial season, which at expected grades could yield on the order of 500+ ounces of gold (of course, actual results depend on grade found). 

Continuous refinement of recovery (adding jigs or shaker tables for fine gold, etc.) would occur. The mining would be done with concurrent reclamation to satisfy regulators and minimize environmental impact.

Throughout all phases, assaying and documentation are key. We will retain a geologist or experienced placer consultant to log the stratigraphy of pits (note clay layers, black sand zones, etc.) and to perform fire assays on concentrates if needed to verify gold content (especially fine gold that might be lost in panning counts). 

Photographic and GPS records of all pit locations and sample results will be maintained – this builds the dataset to eventually estimate placer reserves.

The phased approach limits risk by making go/no-go decisions at logical points. If at any phase the gold values are not promising, the program can be halted with minimal sunk cost. 

Conversely, good results will justify the next investment increment. An investor can thus fund in stages, aligning capital outlay with de-risking milestones.

Environmental and Regulatory Compliance

The Yellow Bucket claim is located on federal land (Lolo National Forest) and is an unpatented mining claim. Therefore, any mining activities must comply with U.S. Forest Service (USFS) regulations for locatable minerals as well as Bureau of Land Management (BLM) requirements for claim maintenance and surface management:

• Claim Status and BLM: The claim holder must maintain the claim with annual filings (affidavit of assessment work or fee) to the BLM. 

• The current claim is in good standing, and the investor would either lease, joint-venture, or acquire the claim through the rightful owner. BLM’s role in an active operation is mainly recording ownership and ensuring no conflicts with other claims.

•  There are no known withdrawals or special designations on this land (it is general forest open to mineral entry). Prior to large-scale mining, a Plan of Operations needs to be acknowledged by BLM (usually the USFS will take lead on environmental review, but BLM is a co-manager since surface is USFS, minerals are public domain).

• USFS Regulations: Under Forest Service rules (36 CFR 228A), mining that might cause significant surface disturbance requires an approved Plan of Operations. 

• For Phase 1 and small tests, a simpler Notice of Intent (NOI) may suffice – basically informing the District Ranger of intended sampling with minimal impact. If activities escalate (e.g. use of an excavator, multiple acres of disturbance), the USFS will require a detailed Plan of Operations. 

• This plan will cover: mining and reclamation methods, equipment, timing, access routes, campsite, fuel storage, etc. The Forest Service will likely conduct an environmental assessment (EA) under NEPA focusing on impacts to soil, water, vegetation, and cultural resources. 

Given that this area has a mining history and existing disturbance, we anticipate the environmental review can be completed with a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) if best practices are used. 

The operation will need to post a reclamation bond (amount based on acreage disturbed – typically a few thousand dollars per acre to ensure rehab of pits, removal of equipment, seeding of disturbed ground). 

We will work closely with the Superior Ranger District minerals specialist to satisfy all requirements.

• Water Use Permits: Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and Department of Natural Resources may require a Water Rights or Withdrawal Permit if we plan to divert substantial water from Oregon Gulch or recirculate water on site. 

• Usually for a small placer, a “Short Form 310 permit” (Montana Stream Protection Act) is obtained from the local Conservation District if we do any stream alteration (e.g. set up a pump in the creek). 

• If we only recirculate water in ponds on the claim and pump from the creek with a screened intake, this is generally allowed with notification. 

• We will ensure any water discharge is treated for sediment – likely through settling ponds – to meet Montana water quality standards (no discharge of muddy water directly to the creek). 

• Given the straightforward nature of placer wash water (no chemicals, just sediment), obtaining the necessary permits is routine.

• Environmental Best Practices: 

• We will implement erosion control (silt fencing, straw wattles) to prevent turbid runoff. Fuel will be stored in secondary containment to avoid spills. No mercury will be used (modern recovery uses only gravity, which is environmentally benign).

•  Any historical artifacts (for example, if we encounter remains of old cabins or Chinese miner sites) will be documented and left undisturbed as required by the Archaeological Resources Protection Act – however, our mining will focus on gravels, not cultural layers. The Forest Service may attach conditions to protect habitat (e.g. timing restrictions if any threatened species like bull trout in Cedar Creek need consideration, or fire precautions in summer). We will readily comply with such stipulations.

• Reclamation: 

• The reclamation plan will involve backfilling of test pits and trenches, re-contouring the land to pre-mining form where possible, and spreading topsoil and mulch. 

• Native grass and shrub seed mix will be applied to prevent invasive weeds and ensure rapid regrowth. Because we are mining unconsolidated gravels, reclamation is relatively simple – no toxic materials or processing chemicals are involved. 

• The goal is that 1–2 years after mining, the areas will revegetate and visually blend with the surroundings, with improved water percolation (as old compacted layers are loosened). The bond posted with USFS will be released once reclamation is deemed successful.

Overall, permits are achievable as this is traditional mining country and the agencies are familiar with placer operations. Early communication with regulators is key – we will submit the Plan of Operations well in advance of Phase 2 to allow time for approval. 

We do not foresee any fatal permitting obstacles. The timeline from Plan submission to approval can be 2–6 months depending on complexity; starting this process early (during Phase 1) will ensure no delays to Phase 2/3.

Summary and Opportunity

The Yellow Bucket Mine (Missoula Gulch claim) offers a unique ground-floor opportunity to revive a proven gold-bearing placer with modern methods. In essence, this project combines the allure of historical high-grade gold country with the upside of an undeveloped asset. Key highlights for an investor include:

• Excellent Location: Situated in the prolific Cedar Creek district of Montana, the claim is surrounded by a $10M historic gold field . The property is easily accessible by road and lies only an hour from town, reducing logistical costs. On-site water and gentle terrain further enhance its development readiness.

• High-Quality Gold: Placer gold from this area is of exceptional purity (~95%+ Au ), translating to top dollar in the market. Fine gold recovery techniques can capture this wealth, and any larger nuggets command premium collector value. Montana placers are known for “honest gold” – the Yellow Bucket likely contains such fine but lucrative gold awaiting recovery.

• Historical Encouragement: Though never mined on a large scale, the claim showed its potential in every era – from the old-timers who eked out steady colors, to the 1930s company that built infrastructure expecting a bonanza, to the 1970s miners who were actively extracting gold by hand . 

• All evidence suggests significant pay streaks remain, essentially frozen in time due to prior economic and technological limits. Today’s high gold prices (~$1,900/oz) and improved recovery methods (high-efficiency sluices, excavators, etc.) mean that what was marginal before can now be highly profitable.

• Upside Potential: The exploration program outlined will define the scope, but nearby placer benchmarks are instructive. In similar gulches of this district, small operations have produced 100+ ounces per season on a single wash plant. If our bulk tests confirm grades even at a conservative 0.05 oz/yd³, the volumes available on the claim could yield several thousand ounces over a multi-year period. Additionally, the possibility of finding a richer “pay channel” (common in bench placers) could substantially boost returns.

• Contained Risk: Placer mines are relatively low capex and flexible. The phased approach means we aren’t committing large capital without confirming results. Each step adds value – even the data from Phase 1–2 will increase the property’s worth by delineating reserves. 

• The project can be scaled appropriate to results, from a seasonal small mine to a year-on-year larger operation. Importantly, there are no legacy environmental liabilities – we start fresh with a clean site, and reclamation is straightforward, which limits closure costs and risks.

The Yellow Bucket Mine stands as a ready-to-develop placer gold project combining rich history with modern opportunity. 

With initial sampling set to commence, now is the ideal time for a strategic partner to join. The claim is permit-friendly, infrastructure is in place, and the gold is waiting just below the surface. All the heavy lifting – from building roads to proving there’s gold – has essentially been done by past generations. 

It’s rare to find a property with such clear indicators of value that has not yet been mined with today’s technology. 

Sources: 

Historical and technical information for this report has been compiled from the U.S. Forest Service inventory files , the U.S. Geological Survey MRDS database , published historical accounts , and field observations. All statements are supported by the cited references. Further details, including assay results and permitting documents, are available upon request.