23_E_1_Mining_Today_Floor_Display_Panels_0001.pdf

E.1.aSize: 30”w x 34.5”h Output:

Mounting:

Scale Drawn: 100% @ 12” = 12” Vendor:

3087 TOK APLIC

03.04.24

E.1.a Mining Today Intro Panel

Design Pre-Production Graphic Designer: Nan Hildebrandt

Apple

Mining Today

04.11.24

E.1.bSize: 61”w x 15”h

3087 TOK APLIC

03.04.24

E.1.b Signs of Mining Reading Rail

Design Pre-Production Graphic Designer: Nan Hildebrandt

Steve Herschbach Kinross Alas BLM

E.1.cSize: 20”w x 33.5”h

3087 TOK APLIC

03.04.24

E.1.c Origins of Gold Panel

Design Pre-Production Graphic Designer: Nan Hildebrandt

Can you spot where this creek used to flow?

At some point that creek has meandered across the entire valley between the hills. That’s what placer miners are looking to explore!The Origins of the Gold A hundred million years ago, veins of gold formed deep underground. The rock that held the gold rose and became mountains. But erosion wore those mountains down. Gravel and gold were swept away down mountain creeks. The heavy gold sank and settled on bedrock, and gravel covered it.

Over time, creeks and rivers shifted from side to side.

They left gravel beds along their old routes. And at the bottom of the gravel: gold.

Today, placer miners search through those gravel beds to find the gold.

E.1.d-fSize: various

E.1.d Mining Process Reading Rail Size: 26 ”w x 15”h

E.1.f Reclamation Process Reading Rail Size: 53”w x 15”h

E.1.e Interactive Sliders Size: 13”w x 15”h

Scale Drawn: 100% @ 12” = 12” Vendor:

3087 TOK APLIC

09.22.23 12.18.23

E.1.d-f Mining Process & Reclamation Interactive Reading Rail

Design Pre-Production Graphic Designer: Nan Hildebrandt

The Placer Mining Process To reach the gold, you’ll have to remove all the material that covers it. As you work your way through the layers, remember that you'll need to put them back later. That requirement helps the creek stay healthy and it keeps Alaska beautiful.

Reclamation This is the “reset” stage of placer mining. Miners replace the material they removed, leaving soil on top. They may need to take extra steps to reduce the risk of erosion. Sometimes they plant native vegetation to help prevent invasive species from taking over. When they’re done, the land can begin to recover.

Reclamation can be expensive. Before placer mining can begin, the miner must secure bonding for the project. This ensures that they will be able to pay to repair the landscape.

The Bureau of Land Management oversees reclamation projects. They have collaborated with miners to find out which techniques work best.��������������������

Placer miners can excavate the gravel beds near a creek, but they usually can't work in the creek itself. That would flush dirt and debris downstream and hurt wildlife. Miners have to keep at least ten feet back from the water.

A creek bank after placer mining.

BLM

The same creek bank after BLM-led reclamation and seven years of recovery.

BLM

“To get the gold, you’re pretty much flipping the ground upside-down.”

“For reclamation, you have to flip the ground right-side up again.”

Tractor represents position of die-cast tractor

E.1.hSize: 20”w x 22”h

3087 TOK APLIC

09.22.23 12.18.23

E.1.h Heavy Machinery Panel

Design Pre-Production Graphic Designer: Nan Hildebrandt

Placer mining is a complex process. It requires lots of heavy machinery, each with its own specialty. These models depict some of the machines you might see at a placer mining site.

Constellation Mining Company

Constellation Mining Company

BLM

E.1.i Size: 20”w x 22”h

3087 TOK APLIC

09.22.23 12.18.23

E.1.i Modern Mining - Back to Basics Panel

Design Pre-Production Graphic Designer: Nan Hildebrandt

Large-scale gold mining requires a large-scale investment.

Fortunately, you don't have to go all-in to experience "gold fever."

With just these simple tools, you can try to find a few flecks of gold in the gravel.

Attractions throughout the Eastern Interior invite visitors to try panning for gold. You may not strike it rich, but you'll have a unique Alaskan experience!

Panning for gold in Jack Wade Creek.

BLM/Craig McCaa

E.1.jSize: 20”w x 33.5”h

3087 TOK APLIC

03.04.24

E.1.j Indigenous Perspectives Panel

Design Pre-Production Graphic Designer: Nan Hildebrandt

Alaska Natives and Mining Ahtna people collected and worked copper nuggets in the Wrangell Mountains for generations. The arrival of non-Native settlers and prospectors brought mining of a different type and scale. They mined without regard for indigenous land ownership, culture, or resource stewardship.

Today, Alaska Natives play an important role in modern mining—and the Alaskan economy. Many work in the mining industry. Some Native corporations lease their lands for mining. As part of this process, tribes debate and decide where and when mining is appropriate.

TBD, Michelle Anderson

A copper nugget from the Wrangell Mountains.

At workshops in Copper Center, Alaska Native students use traditional methods to make copper tools and decorations.

E.1.k-oSize: Various

E.1.k Why We Mine Reading Rail Size: 106”w x 15”h

E.1.l-o Drawer Graphics Size: 18”w x 18”h

Scale Drawn: 100% @ 12” = 12” Vendor:

3087 TOK APLIC

03.04.24

E.1.k-o Why We Mine Drawer Reading Rail

Design Pre-Production Graphic Designer: Nan Hildebrandt

Apple

Why We Mine Gold mining is a foundation of the economy here in Alaska. From old dredges to ore trucks, you'll notice signs of mining all around you.

But if you look closely, you'll see its impact in your everyday life even after you leave here.

The mining that happens here makes our modern lifestyles possible.

Even more importantly, it helps us move towards a cleaner, greener future.

Gold from these restoration projects is branded as "Salmon Gold." Because of its environmentally friendly origins, it's in high demand from companies like Apple and Tiffany & Co.

One of the local miners who works in the Fortymile Country.

Apple

Apple

A circuit board from a computer. Can you spot the gold?