Ahtna's lands were selected to a large degree on mineral resource potential as perceived from public data and proprietary data
generated from Ahtna-sponsored exploration prgrams. The incredibly rich Kennecott copper deposits attest to the ability of the region to host world-class mines.
Exploration and mine development on Ahtna lands in Alaska has the following advantages:
- Strong mineral resource potential
- Secure land tenure
- Enormous land tracts covering entire mineral belts
- Low degree of prior exploration
- Best infrastructure development and accessibility of any Native land holdings in the State
Ahtna believes its lands should be highly rated on the global scale of exploration opportunities. Companies interested in exploring
and developing mines on Ahtna land are encouraged to learn more. The company will make all private non-proprietary and public data pertaining to Ahtna lands
available to interested parties and can assist with state inspection and evaluation.
The Bureau of Land Management has documented mineral occurrences situated on Ahtna lands that lie within Wrangell-St. Elias
National Park and Reserve. A total of 55 occurrences situated on or near Ahtna selections were included in the assessment. Of the 55 occurrences, 9 are
historically-producing dormant mines, 27 are development projects, and the remainder are exploration prospects of varying importance. 8 of the occurrences are
placer gold deposits.
Numerous mineral occurrences lying outside the Wrangell-St. Elias Park boundaries are also present, and many occur on Ahtna land.
Information on these prospects can be obtained from Ahtna, the USGS or the Alaska Department of Natural Resources.
While some very significant deposits have been discovered, the region has seen very little exploration. A reconaissance program
carried out by WGM, Inc., an Anchorage-based consulting firm, in the late 1970's is the most comprehensive program completed to date. The program barely began the
mineral assessment process; however, it was successful in the identification of six main mineral belts.
Upon completion of the selection process, Ahtna will own 1.77 million acres of land covering properties with excellent mineral
potential. There are indications of deposits of the following affinity:
- High-grade epigenetic gold deposits
- Placer gold
- Zinc-lead-silver deposits
- Copper deposits
- Nickel-platinum-palladium deposits
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Ahtna currently has one active mineral exploration agreement. Ahtna would consider an arrangement whereby a mining
company or a consortium would be provided the exclusive right to explore in a reconnaissance fashion all Ahtna selected and conveyed lands, with the option to
select specific tracts of land for lease and detailed exploration and development.
Ahtna expects to see the following components to any Exploration and Option to Lease Agreement:
- Signing bonus
- Scholarship fund contributions
- Escalating work commitment
- Production royalty
- Advance minimum royalty payments
- Shareholder hire and contract preference
- Option to participate at feasibility stage
- Vocational training
- Electronic and printed copies of all data generated
The property owned by Ahtna has received only cursory mineral exploration efforts. Much more reconnaissance work is required to
delineate established mineral occurrences, and to identify as-yet unrecognized occurrences. Nevertheless, strong targets that can quickly be moved to an
intermediate or advanced exploration stage exist. Modern exploration methods, economic and deposit-model concepts have been applied in the region on a limited basis.
Most of Ahtna's mineral lands are situated close to major transportation corridors and infrastructure. Target economics are
therefore excellent by Alaska standards.
For all these reasons - technical, economic, and political - Ahtna lands are an attractive exploration target.
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Mineral inquiries can be made to:
Joe Bovee, Land & Resource Manager
Ahtna, Inc.
P.O. Box 649
Glennallen, AK 99588
Office: (907) 822-3476
Fax: (907) 822-3495
Email: jbovee@ahtna-inc.com
