The Golden Staircase

The third episode of "Alaskan: A Modern Day Gold Rush" is set to premiere on Outdoor Channel Saturday, Jan. 28 at 1 p.m. ET.  In the third episode, The Golden Staricase, shows the stampeders making their way to the Klondike gold fields as they had to endure the treacherous Chilkoot and Whitepass trails about 60 times over, carrying their ton of supplies into Canada. The crew of the Alaska Gold Expedition sees a glimpse of the stampeders’ struggles as they move more than 80,000 pounds of supplies down the soft beach of Nome to the Cripple River Mining Camp, said Supervising Producer Greg Miller. The series, produced by the Gold Prospectors Association of America, offers viewers an intriguing, thoughtful look into the lives of more than 400 gold prospectors who spend their summer months battling the elements that make up a city of gold — Nome, Alaska, Miller said.

Firstly, it is my sad duty to report that Big John Duhanich is retiring from his column, Gold Grubbin' Gourmet. I have enjoyed his recipes over the years that I have been here, and I know many of you have been enjoying them for much longer as he has written for Gold Prospectors for many years. We are sorry to see him go and we'll miss him. If you have ever met him or gotten to talk with him, he is quite a character and a wonderful man. Good luck to you, John, and God bless you.

With Big John retiring, we sat down to decide what was to be done. We all felt we wanted to keep a recipe column. In the end, we decided to open it up to you, our members. Do you have a favorite camping, comfort, desert or snack recipe that you like to have when out prospecting? Or, do you have a recipe that regardless of where or when you eat it you feel is simply the best and would like to share it with your fellow members? Can you grill it or cook your fave food on an open flame over a campfire? Even better! Send your recipe to Gold Prospectors Magazine, Attn: Editor / Content Director Brad Jones. Your recipes must include a color food photo to be accepted for publication.

In response to New York Times article: “A Mining Law whose time has passed”

(This letter to the editor, written by former EPA scientists Claudia Wise and Joseph Greene, was submitted to the New York Times as a rebuttal to an OpEd article more than one week ago, but was not accepted. No reason was given for why the letter was rejected.) In response to A Mining Law Whose Time Has Passed, By ROBERT M. HUGHES and CAROL ANN WOODY, January 11, 2012. We have known Bob Hughes for many years. He is a respectable scientist. However, he is clearly a “fish out of water” on small-scale suction dredge mining issues. I do not know what motivated him to write comments regarding hardrock mining and carelessly interjecting comments on the Chetco River and suction dredge mining.

Don’t miss out on the 2012 Alaska Gold Expedition!

As Nome, Alaska is facing one of the coldest winters in recent history, registrations for the 2012 Alaska Gold Expedition are coming in at a record pace for the 30th anniversary of the event, says GPAA Claims, Outings & Expeditions Director Blake Harmon.

“We are seeing a nearly 40 percent increase in sign-ups compared to the same time last year,” Harmon said. “With the addition of two extra weeks coupled with the scheduled opening of our new Creosus camp, there is a lot of excitement about the coming season,” he added.

Second chance to catch Alaskan premiere

If you missed the season premiere of Alaskan: A Modern Day Gold Rush on the Outdoor Channel, you can watch the red-eye rerun at 6 a.m. ET Wednesday (tomorrow, Jan.17) or set your DVR to record it. The episodes will NOT be available online, so this is your last chance to watch or record the second season premiere. The episode originally aired on Outdoor Channel last Saturday.

What’s not to “Like”?

You can now hook up with your facebook firends on three different GPAA facebook fan pages: GoldProspectors, Gold FeverTV and AlaskanTheSeries. Click on any of the images below to check out the fan pages.

Advertise in the Pick & Shovel Gazette!

Advertising in the Gold Prospectors Association of America’s Pick & Shovel Gazette is a good way to share information about products and equipment with our loyal readers — gold prospectors, miners, gem hunters and treasure seekers nationwide. The Pick & Shovel Gazette is an informative GPAA newspaper that provides a forum for Lost Dutchman’s Mining Association and GPAA members on prospecting news, mining rights and current events.

Call now to take advantage of limited time offer introductory discounts on full-color display ads in the all new Pick & Shovel Gazette!

Call (800) 640-0814! Or email advertising@goldprospectors.org
— National Advertising Manager James Bond

Get Gold Prospectors FREE with a GPAA membership!

The January/February edition of Gold Prospectors, GPAA’s national magazine, features Alaska as its theme. Look for more of the usual riveting and adventure-packed stories of gold prospecting and gem & treasure hunting that you've come to expect in our glossy, full-color magazine.

Gold Prospectors Magazine is now on sale at newsstands and is FREE for all GPAA and LDMA members. If you are not yet a GPAA member, Gold Prospectors Magazine alone, is a great reason to join Gold Prospectors Association of America.

Oregon miners challenge DEQ on dredge permit

Since 2005, The Eastern Oregon Mining Association (EOMA) and the Waldo Mining District (WMD) have been in court challenging the Department of Environmental Quality’s 700-PM Suction Dredge Mining Permit, and; protecting miners’ rights against challenges against the DEQ permit brought by environmental groups out to ban all suction dredge mining in Oregon. EOMA and WMD claim that it’s the wrong permit, issued under the wrong authority. Radical environmentalist groups claim the permit is not restrictive enough. The outcome of this litigation will affect all future suction dredge mining in Oregon for years to come. Learn more at: www.waldominingdistrict.org EOMA/WMD needs your help! To help raise funds for the ongoing litigation, EOMA/WMD is holding the final drawing in the “Win 1/2 Pound of Gold Drawings” at the GPAA Gold Show in Salem, Ore., March 25.

McCain calls ban a ‘devastating blow to job creation in northern Arizona’

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Obama administration is banning new hard rock mining on more than a million acres near the Grand Canyon, an area known to be rich in high-grade uranium ore reserves.

The decision, announced Monday by Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, hands a victory to environmental groups and some Democratic lawmakers who had worked for years to limit mining near the national park, one of the nation's most popular tourist destinations.