Four new gold mining operations proposed near Central and Chicken

Four mining companies have applied for permits to dig for gold in creeks near Central and Chicken, continuing a tradition that has defined Interior Alaska for more than a century.

The applications, filed with the Alaska Department of Natural Resources, propose mechanical placer operations on Crooked Creek and Ptarmigan Creek.

The Circle Mining District has produced gold since the early 1900s, when prospectors rushed to the region after strikes near Fairbanks.

Most placer mines in the region operate seasonally, employing small crews during summer months. The work supports families in Central, Chicken, and nearby communities where mining remains one of few year-round economic anchors.

The state is accepting public comments on each application. DNR will review the proposals for compliance with water quality standards and reclamation requirements before issuing permits.

Mining companies must submit plans showing how they will restore creek channels and vegetation after operations end. Modern regulations require miners to return streams to stable conditions, a contrast to early operations that left permanent scars on the landscape.