Page last updated: 12/6/2022

 

FOUR MINING CLAIMS, 8 INCH DAHLKE DREDGE, AND 15 FOOT HOVERCRAFT with TRAILER

 CLAIMS LOCATED ON NORTH FORK OF FORTY MILE RIVER IN ALASKA

$38,000 OBO for the package (Cash and/or Gold accepted)

 

You get the hovercraft, trailer, dredge, and claims for one price.

I will be in Chicken Alaska in spring (Late May of 2023) to help the new owner(s) get hovercraft set up for the season, unpack and set up the dredge, and show you where claims are.

Also, I will do introductions to other miners on the river.

Although minor repairs are needed on the Hovercraft and trailer I already have the parts and will “help” in doing the fixes.

Although I won’t spend the season with you, I will help the new owners to make sure everything is up and running at the beginning of the season including some short lessons on driving the hovercraft.

Other than what is listed below there is no other cost for this package to the new owners.

This is a package deal. All you will likely need is diving gear, camping gear, food, and fuel.

For safety reasons and to help with the equipment I strongly recommend you bring a helper (or partner) as my back and hip aren’t what they used to be.

Reason for selling: Health and family situations plus I have two of everything (Time to reduce the amount of stuff)

For additional info or questions call Dan’s Cell: 262-347-6632 or email dwgross9@gmail.com (I’m Central time)

I prefer to talk rather than text but however you contact me I’ll do my best to answer your questions.

Please DO call me with questions as this is a rare opportunity.

 

Just a FYI: If you're really interested let me know asap because I'm filling out the APMA permit for next year ('23) within the next few weeks (before 12/24).
This permit lets the DNR know who will be working the river in the coming season and by getting your name on the permit now may save you some $ if we end up making a deal. Get my contact info from the link above.

 

Hovercraft Info: 

• 15 x 7 foot Sevtec Surveyor.
• 36hp Briggs & Stratton engine (two years old, electric start).
• Payload 850+ lb capacity (driver, fuel, cargo).
• Included is a 16 foot flatbed car hauler trailer.
• Trailer has electric brakes and, both the brakes and the bearings were new in 2021
• 2-9/16 ball hitch (Trailer pulls just fine with F-150)
• Any spare parts I have are also included

 

Dredge Info: 

• Eight inch Dahlke dredge.
• Swivel tip nozzle
• Has the box set up for fine gold (typical for this area).
• 23HP Briggs & Stratton engine (two years old, electric start).
• Water heater on dredge included.
• PCA10 compressor.
• Front and rear winches
• Reserve tank and air and hot water lines are not included. The ones I have are ‘very’ used so I recommend you get new lines and new reserve tank. Additional cost for these parts ‘around’ $300-$400.

 

Claim Info: 

• Access by Hovercraft recommended (Jet boats are ok but only in spring).
• Each of the 4 claims is ¼ mile long. The two lower claims are separated from two upper claims by about 1 mile.
• Medium to shallow water over all claims. Although there are deep spots mostly the water level is less than 4 feet, over burden ranges “usually” between 1-4 feet.
• Suggested Mining level: Recreational to intermediate.
• Very remote but also very beautiful.
• Not recommended for young children or tiny dogs.
• When you’re on the claims the nearest town (Tok) is 4-6 hours away.
• Claim ADL numbers are: 662301, 718320, 730327, 730328 (Use these ADL numbers to see the location and other details about these claims on the “Alaska Mapper” at https://mapper.dnr.alaska.gov/    If you have questions about how to use the “Alaska Mapper” please call me.
• These are State of Alaska claims NOT federal BLM claims (Much easier to deal with in my opinion) and I can help the new owners to understand what needs to be done to maintain the claims and I have a map of where I think the best spots are on the claims.
• Rent is a total of $370 per year for all four claims (Paid until 9/1/2023).
• Annual Affidavit of labor required (Not due until 9/1/2023).

 

Other Info: 

• A satellite communication device is highly recommended. Most miners in the area use an “InReach” device (See me for more details).
• Although food can be purchased in Tok (the nearest town) I always bring 2 months food with me (everything is more expensive in Alaska).
• These are “Remote” Claims. There is no internet, TV, radio, or cell phone coverage once you leave Tok. If you can’t deal with being “TOTALLY” by yourself on the claims this opportunity may not be for you. Call me to discuss if you are unsure.
• The area is a gold mining community. Most every miner knows most every other miner. We look out for each other.
• One other note, although I worked in IT before I retired I’m not real fond of texting. I will do it as needed but prefer a phone call. Anyway you chose to reach me will be fine. I enjoy talking gold and about my Alaska adventures!

 

FYI about this opportunity:

It’s been a while since I posted this opportunity and I’m getting similar questions so I’m adding this section to help others who may have the same questions. Also, as I get other questions that I think are of value, they will also be listed here.

Q: How much gold is there? Or, how much have you found?

A: There is no short answer to this question. I’m retired and don’t need to find any gold to pay my bills. When I head north it is to have fun and good adventures. As a result I work when I’m in the mood and enjoy nature and the area. When I do work it is generally 3-4 hours a day. With two exceptions in the past 10 years, I have always found enough to pay my expenses for the summer and have a little left over to put away for the future. But for those who need an answer I usually average from 1-2 grams per hour and sometimes reach 2-3 grams per hr. Sometimes I do better and sometimes not as well. Also, I have on several occasions done one oz per 8 hrs effort. As with ANY gold producing river the amount found depends on where you look and how much effort you put into it. I don’t give any other answer than this because 1; it’s the truth and 2; anyone who gives exact numbers (in my opinion) is usually stretching the truth or lying.

Q: How much of the claim has been hunted?

A: Simple answer, I don’t know. There have been miners in this area for the last 130 years just as there have been miners in many other places for the last 170+ years. All I can do is give the new owners a map (hand drawn by me) showing where I’ve been and where I’ve tested and show them where I think there are other good deposits. Based on how much hard pack I have found in the past and, after talking with some old timers in the area I would “guess” at least half seems to be untouched but I can’t guarantee that, no one can.

Q: Where is the Hovercraft/dredge located? Is the equipment in the lower 48? Can I buy just one of the items?

A: Everything is currently in or near Chicken Alaska. I prefer to sell everything as a package because I can then afford to offer the new owners the benefits listed above but, if for some reason that doesn’t happen by mid April of ’23 I will be mining the claims myself this coming year as I know they are still good claims and then I’ll bring the hovercraft back with me for sale in early September 2023 and leave the 2^nd hovercraft in Alaska.