Mine Mugshot: Illinois Creek Mine

Where: Kaiyuh Mountains, about 9 miles S of Khotol Mountain in Alaska, USA

Mine Type: Open pit, cyanide heap leach gold mine

Operations: 1997 - 1998, official closure by ARG (American Reclamation Group)  in 2005

Owner: USMX of Alaska Inc. a subsidiary of Dakota Mining Company    

Output: 50,109 oz. gold; 155,235 oz. silver

Notable Facts: It is notorious for being the first hardrock gold mine to go bankrupt. The mining company was not able to pay the equipment contractors and production was less than expected so less than 2 years after start of operations the company filed for bankruptcy. 

Photo Courtesy of Google Earth

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