brooks] PLACER MINING IN ALASKA IN 1904. 31 
put was probably much less than in 1903, though exact figures are not 
available. This, however, led to greater prospecting activity and to 
the consequent discoveries above mentioned. 
COOK INLET REGION. 
In the Cook Inlet region placer mining during the past year was 
practically confined to a few creeks tributary to Turnagain Arm. The 
Alaska Central Railway, under construction from Resurrection Bay, 
will be of material benefit to this region. Mr. Moffit describes the 
region in some detail. Attention will here be directed only to the fact 
that practically all the mining is now done by means of hydraulic 
plants. He reports that 7 hydraulic plants were in operation last 
season. 
COPPER RIVER BASIN. 
Less definite information is available regarding the Copper River 
camps, as these have not been recently visited by any of the members 
of the Geological Survey. It appears, however, that the Chistochina 
district is holding its own as a producer, and that prospecting with a 
small production, looking toward important developments, has con- 
tinued in the Nizina district. All of the Copper River camps are 
retarded in development by the high transportation charges. It is 
reported that the cost of carrying supplies to Chistochina is 30 cents 
a pound in winter and $1 in summer. A tramway, reported to be 
under construction over the pass by which the trail leads from Valdez 
to Copper Center, will probably materially reduce this cost, but until 
rail or wagon roads are constructed the miner in this region, as in 
other parts of Alaska, can only exploit the very richest placers. 
On Slate Creek, in the Chistochina basin, a hydraulic plant has been 
installed and successfully operated. This is supplied by water through 
a ditch 2 miles in length. Most of the other operations of this dis- 
trict appear to be confined to "shoveling in" methods, with some 
ground sluicing. 
SOUTHEASTERN ALASKA. 
An account of the placer mining in southeastern Alaska will be 
found on pages 51 and 88 of this bulletin. It appears that alluvial min- 
ing during the last year was confined to Porcupine Creek, where no 
important developments were made in 1904, and to Gold Creek, at 
Juneau. The Last Chance Company, of Juneau, has constructed a 
large flume to carry the water of Gold Creek around the basin and 
has also enlarged its drainage tunnel. 
