REPORT ON PROGRESS OF INVESTIGATIONS OF 
MINERAL RESOURCES OF ALASKA IN 1905. 
B}^ Alfred H. Brooks and others. 
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT. 
By Alfred H. Brooks. 
INTRODUCTION. 
The publication last year of a volume summarizing the economic results of the field 
work of the Alaska division has found favor among mining men, and it has been decided 
to issue a similar volume every spring. Though such advance papers can often embody 
only tentative conclusions, it is believed that even these, when intelligently used, are of 
practical value to the mining industry; at least their value is much enhanced by early pub- 
lication. Those who make use of this report should bear in mind its true character, and 
not place the same confidence in the conclusions that would be given to treatises repre- 
senting more exhaustive field and laboratory studies. 
As in the previous report, the papers fall into three groups — (1) summaries of progress 
in various phases of the mining industry during the last year; (2) preliminary accounts of 
investigations in progress or completed; (3) statements of the results of minor investiga- 
tions not to be published elsewhere. 
As the field covered is very extensive and many of the mining districts are isolated, it 
is impossible, with the present force of the division, to visit all the mining regions every 
season. The attempt has been made, however, to procure reliable information from every 
district, and this has been embodied in the summary statements. This has been possible 
only through the cordial cooperation of mining men in all parts of the Territory, to whom 
the writer desires to express his obligations. In the future this side of the work will be 
developed as fully as is commensurate with the chief objects of the investigations, namely, 
the mapping and study of the mineral resources of the Territory. It is hoped that, eventu- 
ally, as transportation facilities improve and the work expands, it will be possible to issue 
an annual statement which will summarize concisely and authoritatively the advance of 
the mining industry throughout the Territory. 
As in the previous report the notes on placer-mining operations naturally occupy more 
space than any other part of the subject, since the placer mines are still the largest pro- 
ducers. The field investigation of placers in 1905 has been practically limited to the Yukon 
basin and Seward Peninsula, and as these are also the largest producers they are treated 
at greater length than the other alluvial gold-bearing regions. 
The volume contains 15 different papers by 13 different authors. Promptness of pub- 
lication necessitates the elimination of all illustrations except a few of the simplest. The 
more complete reports with full illustrations will be issued as soon as possible. 
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