General Information
Abstract: Placer gold mining in Clear Creek extends back to 1900, when the discovery claim was staked. Approximately 129,000 crude ounces (4012 kg) of gold have been reported since 1941 which includes 49,637 crude ounces (1544 kg) obtained by dredging operations (1941 to 1955, and 1981 to 1987). Placer gold morphology ranges from crystalline gold in quartz to rounded nuggets to flattened gold. The largest nugget, recovered from the headwaters of Left Clear Creek, weighed 7 ounces (218 g).
Clear Creek valley was filled by ice during the pre-Reid glaciation (early Pleistocene). Pre-Reid glacial drift is preserved as till, resedimented till, and glaciofluvial sediments on the lower slopes along main Clear Creek and parts of Left Clear Creek. Alpine glaciers formed at the headwaters of Left Clear Creek, however most of the moraine deposits have been eroded. During the subsequent Reid and McConnell glacial periods local alpine glaciers formed in the headwaters of Josephine and Big creeks. Alpine glaciers, the pre-Reid ice sheet and their melt waters redistributed the gold in the Clear Creek drainage.
The distribution of heavy minerals in Clear Creek drainage is varied. Over the years dredging operations intersected pockets of gravel containing cassiterite, scheelite and galena, but their precise locations were not documented. Contemporary placer mining and our heavy mineral studies have located concentrations of pyrite, arsenopyrite, scheelite and galena, in addition to gold. Exploration for the source of placer gold has resulted in the discovery of numerous gold veins in the surrounding area.
Clear Creek valley was filled by ice during the pre-Reid glaciation (early Pleistocene). Pre-Reid glacial drift is preserved as till, resedimented till, and glaciofluvial sediments on the lower slopes along main Clear Creek and parts of Left Clear Creek. Alpine glaciers formed at the headwaters of Left Clear Creek, however most of the moraine deposits have been eroded. During the subsequent Reid and McConnell glacial periods local alpine glaciers formed in the headwaters of Josephine and Big creeks. Alpine glaciers, the pre-Reid ice sheet and their melt waters redistributed the gold in the Clear Creek drainage.
The distribution of heavy minerals in Clear Creek drainage is varied. Over the years dredging operations intersected pockets of gravel containing cassiterite, scheelite and galena, but their precise locations were not documented. Contemporary placer mining and our heavy mineral studies have located concentrations of pyrite, arsenopyrite, scheelite and galena, in addition to gold. Exploration for the source of placer gold has resulted in the discovery of numerous gold veins in the surrounding area.
Authors: Allen, T.L., Hart, C.J.R., and Marsh, E.E
NTS Mapsheet(s): 105M, 115P
Citation: Allen, T.L., Hart, C.J.R., and Marsh, E.E, 1999. Placer gold and associated heavy minerals of the Clear Creek drainage, central Yukon: Past to present. In: Yukon Exploration and Geology 1998, Roots, C.F. and Emond, D.S (eds.), Indian Exploration and Geological Sciences Division, Yukon Region, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, p. 197-214.
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| Report | File is .61 MB | Download PDF |
Location Map
NTS Mapsheet(s): 105M, 115P
Related Occurrences
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Related Compilations
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Related Publications
| Number | Relationship | Authors | Title |
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| YEG1998 | Contained By | Roots, C.F. and Emond, D.S (eds.) | Yukon Exploration and Geology 1998 |
