Handbook for the AK Prospector by Ernest Wolff
For the person interested in more than just recreational gold mining. This book is a personal favorite of AMDS owner Steve Herschbach. The book was written to cover all the information essential to an Alaskan prospector in one volume. The first half is the equivalent of a college course in geology. The second half covers practical prospecting methods, with an emphasis on hand-made equipment and shelter. Subjects include drill sampling (lode and placer), tunneling, drift mining, geophysical methods, explosives, and elements of mining law. Originally written in the 1960's, some of the information is dated, but this dense compilation of practical prospecting knowledge should find a place on every serious miners bookshelf. Hardback 460 pages, over 100 illustrations. 

History of U.S.S.R.M. History of Alaskan Operations of United States
Smelting, Refining and Mining Company by John Boswell
The U.S.S.R. & M. Co. was the operator of the large mechanical bucketline dredges at Fairbanks and Nome Alaska. This book provides a wealth of information about how these giant machines operated against the background of Alaska history of 1920-1960's Alaska. Packed with photographs of the old operations. 8" x 11" 126 pages.  

Guide for the AK Prospector by James Madonna
General guide to prospecting in Alaska. Information on Alaskan geology, mining claims, mining law, permits, and more. Some of the information in this 1981 edition is dated, but still useful for those wanting an overview of prospecting in Alaska. Illustrated. 89 pages.  

AMA 2009 Handbook & Directory by The Alaska Miners Association
This book is absolutely packed with information about Alaska's mining industry. It includes a listing of all the businesses that supply and service miners in Alaska; information on land status, permitting, agency lists, State mining law, and the membership list of the AMA, Alaska's most influential mining organization. If you want to know who is who in the Alaska mining industry, get this book! 256 pages.  See Details

Frozen Gold A Treatise on Early Klondike Mining Technology, Methods and History by John A. Gould
This book will fascinate anyone interested in turn-of-the-century mining, particularly mining in the Klondike. The glossy pages are lavishly illustrated with many excellent photographs of miners at work. Numerous diagrams illustrate the various mining methods employed. The book concentrates on placer mining and hand mining techniques. Panning, sluicing, rocker boxes, drift mining (tunneling), ground thawing techniques, and more all are described in detail. Some of the monumental engineering feats such as the 72 mile Yukon Ditch are also described. This book is of exceptional quality at a very low price. Highly recommended. 8" x 11" 106 glossy pages. 

Metalliferous Lode Deposits AK by Henry C. Berg & Edward H. Cobb
USGS Bulletin 1246, the companion to Placer Deposits of Alaska. This book lists gold and other metallic mineral resources that occur as hardrock deposits throughout Alaska. Each deposit is located on maps and the original source texts are listed. Concise information on the geology and richest mines in each district is included. 

Placer Deposits of Alaska by Edward H. Cobb
U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 1374 reprinted in it's entirety. This book is a bibliography of all gold placer deposits in Alaska. Each district is mapped, with each deposit located. Concise information on the richest streams in each district is included. More importantly, each original information source is noted, so that additional research may easily be done. If you are interested in gold in Alaska, get this book! 

Significant Deposits in AK by Various Authors, USGS
Significant Metalliferous Lode Deposits and Placer Districts of Alaska A compilation of the major placer and lode deposits in Alaska. It features all locations considered to have genuine economic potential. Each summary listing gives the location, past production, geology, and description of the occurrence. Includes two large separate maps showing locations. 8" x 11" 104 pages. 

Placers of Circle AK by Warren Yeend
Gold Placers of the Circle District, Alaska - Past, Present, and Future This book explores Alaska's Circle District in detail. Gold was discovered in this area in the 1890's, and it continues as one of Alaska's richer gold mining districts today. The various tributary creeks are described in detail. Excellent photography and the included wall map give detailed information on where the gold is in the Circle District. 8" x 11" 42 pages. Separate map included.  

Gold of Historical Fortymile by Warren Yeend
Gold Placers of the Historical Fortymile River Region, Alaska This book explores Alaska's popular Fortymile River area in detail. This river, site of Alaska's earliest gold rush, is being mined today and is especially popular with suction dredgers. The various tributary creeks are described in detail. Excellent color photography and the included wall map give detailed information on where the gold is in the Fortymile. 8" x 11" 75 pages. Separate map included. 

The Streets Were Paved w/Gold by Stan Cohen
A pictorial history of the Klondike Gold Rush from 1896-1899. The story of the Klondike told by hundreds of quality photographs of the period, along with excellent descriptions. The book has over 300 photographs, and copies of many old maps. An incredible value - normally a book of this type would cost twice as much. 8" x 11" 202 pages. 

Alaska Atlas & Gazetteer by DeLorme
Color topographic maps of the entire state of Alaska. Essential for anyone traveling in Alaska. The maps are taken directly from USGS maps, and have detailed information on the geography, roads, and towns of Alaska. This New Edition now has GPS (Latitude and Longitude) coordinates added to the maps. 11" x 15.5" 156 pages.  

Roadside Geology of Alaska by Cathy Conner & Daniel O'Haire
This book details Alaska's geology along the roads of the state. Best for people with a basic understanding of bedrock geology, and the clues it can give. Excellent maps, many photos, and descriptive text give hints as to which areas may be of interest to the prospector. Well illustrated. 250 pages.  

Stake Your Claim! by Mark Silva
A step-by-step guide to locating and recording a mining claim. Covers types of mining claims, public lands open to claim staking, how to research claims, how to physically stake the claim, and the paperwork required to file the claim. Also includes basic information on gold deposits to help narrow the search. The book has a comprehensive list of state and federal office addresses, and copies of various forms. Illustrated. 8" x 11" 123 pages. 

Modern Prospecting How to Find, Claim and Sell Mineral Deposits by Roger McPherson
This new book, published in 2003, contains a wealth of information for the more serious prospector and miner. The many topics covered include the basics of ore deposits, claim staking, analyzing stream gravels with a gold pan, research methods and sources, field equipment, assaying, geochemical prospecting, mineral trends and markets, geophysical prospecting, diamond prospecting, and how to develop a prospect. Many real-life discovery stories are presented along with discussions of actual mining examples such as placer mining at Circle, Alaska, Fort Knox, Alaska, Carlin, Nevada, and more. The author was trained at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks and so many of the examples and discussions specifically mention Alaskan issues. Even so, serious prospectors everywhere will find this a useful and informative book. Illustrated 303 pages.  

Geology of PWS by Jim Lethcoe
Very detailed and readable information on the geological history and formation of southern Alaska. The best text available if you want to understand southern Alaska's geological environment and the formation of many of it's mineral deposits. Detailed history and information on the gold and copper mines of the area. Many photos and illustrations. 224 pages.  

Trailing & Camping in Alaska Tales of the Valdez & Copper River Gold Rush by Allison M. Powell
In 1897, when news of the Klondike gold strikes reached California, Addison M. Powell joined the gold rush to the Valdez and Copper River area as a U.S. deputy surveyor. In this book, Powell establishes himself as the Mark Twain of the Alaska Gold Rush. This is the work of a master story teller recounting his travels to Alaska through the Inside Passage, his experiences with Colonel Abercrombie's 1898-1900 Copper River Exploring Expedition and his subsequent decade of prospecting, guiding, and hunting in Alaska's Copper River Basin. Powell's insightful wit and graphic descriptions bring the era to life. Anyone capable of reading this account without at least a chuckle per page lacks a sense of humor. Reprint of the 1910 hardcover edition in paperback. Photos and maps. 223 pages.