QUAIL CREEK GOLD MINE
44 UNPATENTED CLAIMS
Manley Hot Springs, Alaska
$2,500,000
1,737± Acres
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Quail Creek Gold Mine, located in the Rampart Mining District within Alaska’s Yukon-Koyukuk Borough, presents a rare opportunity to acquire a permitted operating turnkey gold mine with a rich history and substantial untapped potential. The property comprises 44 unpatented state claims spanning approximately 1,737± acres with approximately 120± acres mined. Test holes on-site show deposits as rich as $100/yard.
Gold was first discovered in Quail Creek in the late 19th century, and historical mining operations date back to 1898, with intermittent activity continuing until 1940. The area’s geology is characterized by bench placer deposits situated along the lower mile of the creek, with a well-defined bench approximately 150 feet above the current watercourse.
An old channel located 400 feet above the creek also shows a presence of gold. The mineral composition of concentrates includes gold, cassiterite, barite, scheelite, garnet, zircon, rutile, pyrite, and cinnabar, among others. Bedrock consists of slaty shale interspersed with quartz veinlets and small porphyry dikes, further indicating strong mineralization.
Despite its historical mining activity, no comprehensive historical production data is available. However, the seller has recent production data, and it’s impressive. In addition, the seller has detailed test holes and results through the claims, suggesting significant potential for modern exploration and extraction techniques to uncover valuable reserves. The site’s favorable geology and strategic location near Troublesome Creek enhance its viability for future mining operations.
The Quail Creek Gold Mine represents an exceptional investment opportunity, offering both economic potential and the allure of working in one of Alaska’s last great wilderness frontiers. The mine has equipment in great shape, living quarters, fuel storage, and an airstrip, all situated in one of the most beautiful locations in interior Alaska.
• 44 unpatented claims; 1,737± claim acres
• Access to the property is by private airstrip, approximately 1,800’ long
• Overburden averages 2’ – 16’ silt
• Claims are located on Moore Creek, Eldorado, Nugget Creek, and other small tributaries
• Claims are located within the Rampart Mining District
• Located 36± miles NE of Manley Hot Springs, Alaska, which offers a 3,400± foot long x 60± foot wide gravel runway, offering fuel, lodging, and limited supplies
• The property is currently permitted for mining operations
• Equipment included (see page 7)
• Infrastructure on-site (see page 9)
Quail Creek Gold Mine | Manley Hot Springs, Alaska
Quail Creek Gold Mine | Manley Hot Springs, Alaska
Quail Creek Gold Mine | Manley Hot Springs, Alaska
EQUIPMENT
• Caterpillar D10N dozer (serial #2YD00843)
• Caterpillar 980C loader (serial #63X03097)
• Caterpillar D9G dozer (serial #66A5865)
• Caterpillar D8K dozer (serial #77V3424)
• Caterpillar D7G dozer (serial #44W0376)
• PC 300 excavator (serial #1025) – needs repairs
• Hitachi 210 Zaxis excavator
• Hewitt Robin screen
• 3-section sluice box
• Deutz 150 kW generator
• Caterpillar 150 kW generator (serial #91457)
• Camp diesel generator
• Sand screw (serial #59-60-32-775
• Hydraulic lift
• Conveyor – not assembled
• 6" submersible ABS pump
• 12" pump with Cat D13000
• 3" Homelite pump
• Additional various small pumps
• Hobart welder
• Miller Airpak welder
• Ford mechanics truck with crane
• Ford F250 diesel
• International fuel truck
• Two 4-wheelers
• Other parts and supplies on hand at the subject mining claims
Quail Creek Gold Mine | Manley Hot Springs, Alaska
INFRASTRUCTURE
Buildings
• Main house – 2 bedrooms, shower, kitchen
• Small building
• Bathhouse
• ATCO sleeper – 4 bedrooms
• Shop – pole barn
• 40’ storage van with shelves and supplies
• 2x – 20’ connex boxes
Power Source
• Deutz 150 kW generator
• Caterpillar 150 kW generator (serial #91457)
• 12 kW camp diesel generator
Fuel Storage
• 2x – 20,000-gallon fuel storage tanks
• 1x – 10,000-gallon fuel storage tank
• 1x – 4,000-gallon fuel storage tank
• 2x – 1,000-gallon fuel storage tanks
• 2x – 4,000-gallon pipeline tanks
• 1x – 5,000-gallon double-tank sleigh
*All fuel on hand at the subject mining claims (to be approx. 28,000 gallons on 5/1/2025)
Access
• 1,800± foot long grass airplane landing strip
The surrounding area has wildlife, including grizzly bears, black bears, moose, caribou, lynx, wolves, and wolverines.
Quail Creek Gold Mine | Manley Hot Springs, Alaska
OPERATIONAL CONSIDERATIONS
Access: The site is accessible via a private 1,800± foot airstrip
Elevation: Top 2,400±, bottom 1,500±
Latitude | Longitude: 65.3608, -149.7500
Overburden: 2’-16’
Mindat Report: https://www.mindat.org/loc-199531.html
Crew Capacity: 15 people
NI 43-101: N/A
Gold Assay: 88% - 91%
Geotech
The bedrock in the Quail Creek area consists of slaty shale with numerous quartz veinlets and small porphyry dikes (Prindle and Hess, 1905). Gold is primarily found in a bench placer located in the lower mile of the creek, with a welldefined bench sitting 150± feet above the creek on the north side. Additionally, an older paleochannel exists 400± feet above the creek on a spur between the main branch and the south fork of Quail Creek (Mertie, 1934). The mineral content of concentrates includes gold, picotite, cassiterite, barite, scheelite, pyrite, garnet, zircon, rutile, and one grain of cinnabar (Mertie, 1934; Waters, 1934). Mining operations in the area focused on bench and creek placers, which were worked sporadically from 1898 to 1940, though no detailed records of production quantities exist. The region’s geology indicates a composition of soft shale bedrock with mineralized quartz veins and placer deposits concentrated in ancient benches and channels. Due to fractured shale and historical mining disturbances, stability and ground conditions may vary.
Type of Gold
The gold found in Quail Creek is primarily placer gold, concentrated in bench placers and old paleochannels. The gold is likely fluvial in origin, having been eroded from nearby quartz veinlets within the slaty shale bedrock and redeposited in the stream’s ancient channels. The presence of heavy minerals such as scheelite, cassiterite, and cinnabar in the concentrates suggests a possible association with mineralized bedrock sources.
Mining Methodologies
Placer mining is a method of extracting valuable minerals from alluvial deposits, which are accumulations of sand, gravel, and other sediments found in riverbeds, streambeds, and floodplains. These minerals are typically denser than the surrounding material, allowing them to settle at the bottom over time. Gold, platinum, tin, and gemstones are commonly extracted using this method.
Quail Creek Gold Mine | Manley Hot Springs, Alaska
https://www.mindat.org/loc-199531.html www.fayranches.com | 800.238.8616 | info@fayranches.com
DISCLOSURES & DISCLAIMERS
The information provided by Fay Ranches, including but not limited to property descriptions, maps, reports, studies, geotech, and any other materials, is offered solely for the prospective buyer’s convenience. While efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy or reliability of the information provided, it is up to the prospective buyer to confirm.
Prospective buyers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own independent due diligence, including but not limited to in-person site inspection, verification of property boundaries, assessment of mineral rights, environmental considerations, permitting requirements, and any other factors material to their purchase decision. The property is sold as is with no guarantees, warranties, express or implied, including but not limited to the existence, presence, quality, or extractable mineral resource.
By submitting an offer, the buyer acknowledges they have relied solely on their own investigations, observations, and due diligence and NOT on any information, representations, or warranties provided by Fay Ranches or the seller.
Quail Creek Gold Mine | Manley Hot Springs, Alaska
CLIMATE
Summers in Manley Hot Springs, Alaska, last from June to August and bring warm temperatures ranging from the 60s to 80s°F (16–30°C), with occasional heat waves pushing into the 90s°F (32+°C). Precipitation is generally low, with most rainfall occurring during this season. The region experiences nearly 22 hours of daylight in June, creating long, bright days. Despite the warmth, the area’s remoteness and seasonal extremes contribute to its unique climate.
Climate charts courtesy of https://www.city-data.com/city/Manley-Hot-Springs-Alaska.html
www.fayranches.com | 800.238.8616 | info@fayranches.com
WATER RIGHTS
The property is subject to state-registered water use rights under Alaska Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
Quail Creek Gold Mine | Manley Hot Springs, Alaska
LOCATION
The mine site lies NE of Manley Hot Springs, approximately 36± miles in the Rampart Mining District, Alaska, 67± air miles NW of Fairbanks, and 289± air miles North of Anchorage; Manley Hot Springs offers a 3,400’ gravel runway just off the Elliot Highway (Highway 2).
GETTING THERE
Fly to Fairbanks International Airport; from Fairbanks, charter a 180, 206, Super Cub, or a helicopter.
AIRPORT SERVICES
Quail Creek airfield strip facilitates access to the property, which is 2,000± feet and located on the claim property. This airfield presently accommodates single-engine and light twin aircraft.
www.fayranches.com | 800.238.8616 | info@fayranches.com
HISTORY
Gold was first discovered in Quail Creek in the late 19th century during Alaska’s gold rush era. According to historical records, the creek was originally intended to be named “Ptarmigan Creek,” but early prospectors struggled with its spelling and instead settled on “Quail Creek” (Prindle and Hess, 1906).
Mining operations in the area began in 1898, with gold primarily extracted from bench and creek placers. The richest deposits were found along the lower mile of the creek, where a well-defined bench placer is located approximately 150 feet above the current watercourse on its northern side. An old channel 400± feet above the creek between its main branch and the south fork has also shown promising gold traces (Mertie, 1934).
Quail Creek’s geological composition features slaty shale bedrock interspersed with quartz veinlets and small porphyry dikes, indicative of gold-bearing formations. Concentrates recovered from mining efforts contained gold, cassiterite, barite, scheelite, pyrite, garnet, zircon, rutile, picotite, and even a single grain of cinnabar (Mertie, 1934; Waters, 1934).
Mining activity at Quail Creek was sporadic, with operations continuing intermittently from 1898 until 1940 (Cobb, 1976; OFR 76-633). While no comprehensive records of total production exist, historical accounts suggest that both bench and creek placers were worked extensively during this period.
Today, Quail Creek remains a historically significant mining site with untapped potential. Its rich geological characteristics and proven history of gold production make it an attractive prospect for modern exploration and mining ventures.
$2,500,000 Cash
Conventional Financing
This is an exclusive co-listing with Fay Ranches and Real Broker of Alaska. Please contact Troy Dana at (360) 402-5500 | tdana@fayranches.com or Yvan Corbin at (907) 301-0875 | Yvan@alaskatopshelfrealty.com to schedule a showing. An agent from Fay Ranches or Real Broker Alaska must be present at all showings unless otherwise noted or other arrangements are made. To view other properties, fly fishing properties, and sporting ranches that we have listed, please visit our web page at www.fayranches.com.
DATA ROOM
The Data Room will provide additional information such as geology, gold reserves, mining plans, and additional maps. To request access to the Data Room, please email tdana@fayranches.com or yvan@alaskatopshelfrealty.com.
Offer is subject to errors, omissions, prior sale, change or withdrawal without notice, and approval of purchase by owner. Information regarding land classification, carrying capacities, maps, etc., is intended only as a general guideline and has been provided by the owners and other sources deemed reliable, but the accuracy cannot be guaranteed. Prospective purchasers are encouraged to research the information to their own satisfaction.
www.fayranches.com | 800.238.8616 | info@fayranches.com
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