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Invest • Montana Gold Claims • For Sale, Lease or Joint Venture
Wise Reasons To Mine In Montana
Wise Reasons To Mine In Montana
Gold recovery operations in Montana present strong logistical and economic advantages.
The Oregon Gulch Project in Mineral County offers long seasonal access, abundant water, high-purity gold (averaging 96.5 to 98.0 (24K_ fineness), and clear permitting pathways.
Compared with Alaska’s high transport costs, Nevada’s water limitations, and California’s strict environmental oversight, Montana provides a balanced, affordable environment for both small-scale and commercial placer recovery.
The figures below assume a three-person crew, eight-hour shifts, and a May–November operating window.
Montana’s Oregon Gulch region offers a powerful combination of high-purity gold, abundant water, low taxes, and predictable permitting.
The six-to-seven-month season allows steady throughput with lower overhead than Alaska’s remote logistics or California’s environmental constraints.
While Nevada’s long season is attractive, its water scarcity and lower gold fineness reduce efficiency and yield.
Oregon Gulch stands out for its accessibility, strong historical record, and naturally fine gold that commands a premium return at sale.
Technical Overview
The Oregon Gulch Project lies within the historic Cedar Creek – Oregon Creek placer belt.
These gravels host exceptionally fine, bright, high-purity gold derived from Bitterroot quartz-vein systems.
Primary targets include gravels below Oregon Creek benches, compacted bar deposits, and terrace gravels extending toward Missoula Gulch.
Access is reliable via U.S. Forest Service Road No. 320 from Superior, Montana.
Cost Comparison by States
Cost Comparison by States
Placer Gold Mining in Montana/Oregon Gulch Project
Placer Gold Mining in Montana/Oregon Gulch Project
Montana, the 7th largest gold-producing state in the U.S., has a rich mining history with significant past production. The content highlights the suitability of Mineral County, Montana, for gold mining, specifically placer gold mining, for the following reasons:
Historical Productivity: The Cedar Creek Mining District within Mineral County has been a historically productive area. The most successful deposits were the placers along creeks that drain the east side of the Bitterroot Mountains, with Cedar and Trout Creeks producing over 10,000 ounces of gold each.
Significant Past Yields: Estimates suggest placer production in the area exceeded 120,000 ounces before 1904, with an additional 32,175 ounces produced between 1904 and 1956.
Geological Potential: Based on current geology, it is predicted that several large, undeveloped, and undiscovered gold deposits will be found, identified, and developed in Mineral County in the future.
Mineral Diversity: Mineral County derives its name from the diverse array of minerals found in its mountainous terrain, including gold, silver, copper, zinc, and lead.
Lower Extraction and Production Costs:
Wash-Plant Cost & Operations Comparison
Category
Montana (Oregon Gulch)
Alaska
Nevada
California
Wash Plant (50 yd/hr)
Montana $150 000
Alaska $200 000
Nevada. $140 000
California $165 000
Support Equipment
(Loader + Excavator)
Montana $100 000
Alaska $150 000
Nevada $120 000
California $130 000
Generator / Lighting
Montana $30 000
Alaska $50 000
Nevada $35 000
California. $40 000
Water System & Settling Basin
Montana $40 000
Alaska $60 000
Nevada $50 000 (water haul)
California $60 000 (env. lining)
Transport & Site Prep
Montana $30 000
Alaska $70 000
Nevada $40 000
California $55 000
Daily Operating Cost
Montana $ 850
Alaska $ 1 500
Nevada $ 1 000
California $ 1 400
Operating Season (months)
Mootana 6 – 7
Alaska 3 – 4
Nevada 8 – 9
California 5 – 6
Gold Fineness (avg)
Montana 965 (96.5 %)
Alaska 0.889 (88.9 %)
Nevada 0.915 (91.5 %)
California 0.900 (90 %)
Typical Grade (oz/yd³)
Montana 0.02 – 0.05
Alaska 0.03 – 0.08
Nevada 0.01 – 0.03
California. 0.01 – 0.02
Cash-Flow Projection
($4 000 / oz gold • 50 yd/hr × 8 hr = 400 yd/day)
0.02 oz of gold to the yard equals 8.0 ounces per day with a daily revenue of $32,000 with a daily operating cost of $850 for a net per day of $$31,140 or a seasonal (180 days) net of $5,61 Million.
0.03 oz of gold to the yard equals 12.0 ounces a day with a daily revenue of $48,000 with a daily operationg cost of $850 for a net per day of $$47,150 or a seasonal (180 days) net of $8.49 Million.
0.04 oz of gold to the yard equals 16.0 ounces per day with a daily revenu pf $64,000.00 with a daily operating cost of $850 resulting in a seasonal (180 days) net.of $11.37 Million.
0.05 oz of gold to the yard equals20 ounces a day with a daily revenue of $80,000 with a daily operating cost for anet per day of $79,150 or a seasonal (180) net of $14.25 Million.
(Assumes a three-person crew, full 180-day season, and 100 % recovery for illustration.)
The Oregon Gulch Project offers a powerful combination of high-purity gold, abundant water, low taxes, and predictable permitting.
The six-to-seven-month season allows steady throughput with lower overhead than Alaska’s remote logistics or California’s environmental constraints.
Oregon Gulch stands out for its accessibility, strong historical record, and naturally fine gold that commands a premium return at sale.
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