Beginner prospector workshops offered

March 30, 2016

Marmian Grimes

The University of Alaska Fairbanks Cooperative Extension Service will host one-day workshops for beginning prospectors in Fairbanks, Delta Junction and Talkeetna.

Fairbanks miner Dave Wright will lead basic prospecting workshops April 23 in Fairbanks, April 30 in Delta Junction and May 7 in Talkeetna. Wright has prospected in the Interior since the early 1970s, focusing mostly on the Goodpaster and Richardson districts. He and his partners have active exploration projects.

The workshops will cover ore material testing and identification, interpreting geological maps, staking a claim, prospecting tools and equipment, geochemical sampling methods, gold panning and sluicing, and an overview of rock and mineral deposits.

The workshops will run from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The fee is $50 if students register at least 10 days before the class begins or $75 after that date. Register at http://bit.ly/ces-workshops and see class details at www.uaf.edu/ces.

The workshops will take place in district Extension offices at 724 27th Ave. in Fairbanks and the Jarvis Building in Delta Junction. The Talkeetna workshop will meet in the Northern Susitna Institute Office, 22510 Talkeetna Spur Road. For more information or to schedule a workshop in your community, contact Meg Burgett at 907-746-9472 or asburgett@alaska.edu.

ADDITIONAL CONTACT: Debbie Carter, 907-474-5406, dscarter@alaska.edu