THK MINING INDUSTRY IN 1906. 
By Alfred H. Brooks. 
FOREWORD. 
Aii increase of nearly 50 per cent in the value of the gold output of 
L906 over that of the previous year is the most concrete evidence of 
bhe advancement of the mining industry in Alaska. That copper 
ruining, too, has undergone a rapid expansion is manifest by an 
ncrease of at least 20 per cent in production over the previous year, 
pther mineral deposits, such as coal, marble, tin, and gypsum, have 
ilso received considerable attention. This progress has consisted 
chiefly in the development of the older districts rather than in the dis- 
coveries of new mineral fields, and can, therefore, be interpreted as an 
index of continuous advancement rather than abnormal expansion. 
Though the placer mines of Nome and Fairbanks were by far the 
greatest producers of wealth last year, yet they have probably 
-eceived less attention from investors than the problems of railway 
construction along the Pacific slope of the Territory. This is another 
ndication of the healthy expansion of the commercial interests and 
Uigurs well for a long period of prosperity. 
The influx of capital seeking investment in Alaska, so notable dur- 
ng the last few years, continued during 1906. A large number of 
prominent engineers have been engaged examining prospects and 
nines, as well as conditions of operating, transportation, etc., in the 
nterests of prospective investors. Unfortunately, with the many 
egitimate enterprises there is an equal if not greater number of ven- 
tures which are promoted with a view of exploiting people ignorant 
pf mining affairs rather than of developing mines. The public can 
not be too strongly urged to familiarize themselves thoroughly with 
the plans and assets of companies that invite popular subscription. 
Many honest promoters, because of their inexperience in mining 
affairs, mislead their equally inexperienced stockholders. Every 
such venture which fails retards the advancement of the mining inter- 
ests by making investors suspicious of all other enterprises in the 
district. 
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