Gold production drops in Alaska and nationwide.

• Author: Malone, Michael
• Position: ALASKA TRENDS

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported that gold mining production in the United States declined in 2012, and production declined in Alaska in 2011. The USGS operates within the US Department of Interior and is the nation's largest water, earth, and biological science and civilian mapping agency. The USGS collects, monitors, analyzes, and provides scientific understanding about natural resource conditions, issues, and problems. The diversity of its scientific expertise enables it to carry out large-scale, multi-disciplinary investigations and provide impartial scientific information to resource managers, planners, and other customers. The USGS estimated that the United States was the third largest gold producing country in the world in 2012, trailing only China and Australia. USGS estimates for gold production in 2012 are that the United States produced 230 metric tons, China produced 370 metric tons, and Australia produced 250 metric tons. Alaska production estimates for 2012 are not available at this time.

The USGS reported that Alaska showed an increase in gold production since 2004, peaking at 28 metric tons in 2010, representing a near doubling of gold production for that period. In 2011, Alaska's production dropped to 25 metric...