EXPLORATION in the Atlin district during the season now closing advanced to the point where technical men are in a position to predict that next year will witness widespread and gratifying gold production.
Recent arrivals from the north are impressed by the extensive prospecting which has been done during the past few months. Among these is Mr. Walter L. Sheeler, mining engineer of San Francisco, who would have stayed longer in the field were it not for an injury which necessitates surgical treatment. He is en route to Rochester, Minn.
The outstanding operation in the district in his opinion, is that proceeding on the Norgold mine, Big Horn Creek area. A complete power plant 1s being installed and will be operating in the next few weeks, Mr. Sheeler says.
LODE DEVELOPMENT.
Lode mining, which is the more recent attraction of Atlin district, is
giving promise of excellent results. Several sections, particularly in the Tagish Lake area, are under more or less development, consisting mostly of work to keep up the annua] assessment. Such work has been proceeding for a number of years, but the success of the Norgold operations gave general encouragement to this form of mining in a district which
has become known particularly for placer.
Lode development which Mr. Sheeler mentioned as indicative of general
advancement of the district include operations of James Stokes, on Monroe Mountain. The Bobjo interests of Toronto are exploring the Atlin-Ruffner, a silver-lead-zinc property.
On the Tagish Lake side of the district continuation of the operations at the old Engineer mine are in prospect. The Mining Corporation of Canada is repairing the power plant preparatory to pumping the water from the workings. Operations are also proceeding on. Sheep Creek.
Fred Lawson, original locator on Big Horn, is still prospecting. Activity is marked in the Wheaton area where Matthew Watson of Carcross, and others, have been developing their holdings. "Stampede John" Stenbraten, one of the best known prospectors of late years, is working in this area.
Experienced prospectors are now devoting much attention to the district
generally, Mr. Sheeler adds.
Atlin has been known for half a century for its placer gold deposits and has yielded this type of gold more or less continuously. Much work of a preparatory nature was accomplished during this summer and several important leases went into operation. There are numerous small outfits at work as well.
One operation, carried on for several years by a woman, is that known
as the "Jennie Bender" lease on Wilson Creek. These claims have been worked for years by Mrs. Jennie Bender, who went into the district in 1898. The claims this season are under operation by "lay" agreements.
MANY CREEKS WORKED.
The Jack Hamill interests of Toronto are exploring Lincoln Creek with a Keystone drill. Otter, Bull, Ruby, McKee creeks are being worked. The Consolidated Mining & Smelting Co. is exploring Boulder Creek. The Columbia Mining Co. employs a steam shovel on Spruce Creek. Detroit interests are hydraulicking on Iron Creek. Drilling is proceeding on Pine Creek. Nate Murphy and associates are reported to be meeting with success on O'Donnell Creek. Placer prospecting is also proceeding in the Liard area.
Mr. Sheeler adds a tribute to the importance of airplanes in the North.
George Simmons has two planes at Carcross; C. F. Barr one at Atlin, the White Pass & Yukon Railway two at Skagway, and Canadian Airways Ltd. has a machine at Atlin frequently. These planes carry three and four passengers in addition to from 1000 to 2000 pounds of freight.
Generally speaking, according to Mr. Sheeler, transportation facilities
are good. The area is reached via boat to Skagway, thence by rail to Carcross, and overland to Atlin. There is a period of about a month during freezeup, and also during the breaking up of ice on the lakes, when transportation is interfered with.
Mr. Sheeler, during years of mining experience, has covered much territory and he states that nowhere has he ever met a more sociable, friendly and willing class of people than those of Atlin, most of whom are pioneers of the North.
