GOLD FIELDS OF THE SOLOMON AND NIUKLUK RIVER 
BASINS. 
By Philip S. Smith. 
INTRODUCTION. 
While the area drained by Solomon River and the Niukluk and its 
tributaries was visited by the writer for only a few days, it has 
seemed desirable to make a brief statement of some of the more 
important developments that have been under way since the prog- 
ress report for 1905 was published. 
SOLOMON IIIVER BASIN. 
DREDGING. 
In the Solomon River region few new developments were in prog- 
ress. The most active work was being conducted at the dredge neam 
Rock Creek and at the Big' Hurrah mine. Outfits of one to tenmei 
have been engaged along the river and its main tributaries, but las 
summer was so dry that most of the smaller operators could work onb 
intermittently. 
The dredge on Solomon River has previously been fully described. 
During the last season work has gone on uninterruptedly and, as fa 
as could be learned, in a manner highly satisfactory to the owners 
Much ground has been handled at a low cost. The dredge seems t« 
be efficient in cleaning gold from the bed rock. This was a matter o 
a good deal of importance when the availability of a dredge was firs 
discussed and is one of the vital points which should be thorough!] 
considered by anyone who contemplates undertaking dredging opera 
tions. Too much emphasis can not be placed on the preliminary 
investigations which should always precede the construction of 
dredge, since the neglect of these considerations has often resulted 
in financial failure. It is not only necessary to have efficient man 
agement, but it is also of prime importance that the ground shouL 
be thoroughly prospected before a dredge is built. A dredge is 
oMoffit, Fred H., Gold mining on Seward Peninsula: Bull. U. S. Geol. Survey No. 284, 1906, p] 
136-137. 
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