Alaska's Mineral Industry Stats

Overview of Fort Knox Mine looking south by southeast. The open pit gold mine is seen in the background, with the low-grade ore stockpile and conveyor in the foreground. Photo credit: Fairbanks Gold Mining Co.

The Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys compiles summaries of mineral activity and publishes an annual report of mineral activity, in accordance with Alaska Statue 27.05.050-060.

The reported value of Alaska's mineral industry in 2020 totaled $3.2 billion, a increase of 5 percent from 2019. The total value for the year is a composite of expenditures on exploration and development, plus the revenue to the operators from the commodities produced. Exploration and development expenditures both fell due to pandemic related challenges, with decreases of 15 and 23 percent, respectively.

Alaska hosts important reserves and resources, when compared with the world and contiguous U.S. (2019 estimates and data).

• Coal: 12% of the world's coal; 2nd most in the world
• Zinc: 3% of the world's zinc; 8th most in the world
• Gold: 3.5% of the world's gold; 10th most in the world
• Lead: 1.6% of the world's lead; 10th most in the world
• Silver: 1.5% of the world's silver; rank not calculable
• Copper: 0.3% of the world's copper; rank not calculable

Alaska contains diverse metallogenic provinces and, with over 7,400 documented prospects. Alaska ranked 5th out of approximately 80 worldwide jurisdictions for overall investment attractiveness by mining and exploration companies, which takes into account geologic potential as well as government policy factors that affect exploration investment. Alaska also ranked 5th for mineral potential assuming a "best practices" policy regime (Yunis and Aliakbari, 2021).

Alaska's Mineral Industry Reports

SR 77

Szumigala, D.J., 2024, Alaska's mineral industry 2021: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Special Report 77, 97 p. https://doi.org/10.14509/31272

SR 76

Twelker, Evan, Werdon, M.B., and Athey, J.E., 2022, Alaska's mineral industry 2020: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Special Report 76, 75 p. https://doi.org/10.14509/30848

SR 75

Athey, J.E., Werdon, M.B., and Twelker, Evan, 2021, Alaska's mineral industry 2019: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Special Report 75, 69 p. https://doi.org/10.14509/30658

SR 74

Athey, J.E., and Werdon, M.B., 2019, Alaska's mineral industry 2018: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Special Report 74, 84 p. https://doi.org/10.14509/30227

SR 73

Athey, J.E., and Werdon, M.B., 2018, Alaska's mineral industry 2017: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Special Report 73, 92 p. https://doi.org/10.14509/30075

SR 72

Athey, J.E., and Werdon, M.B., 2017, Alaska's mineral industry 2016: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Special Report 72, 65 p. https://doi.org/10.14509/29748

SR 71

Athey, J.E., Werdon, M.B., Twelker, Evan, and Henning, M.W., 2016, Alaska's mineral industry 2015: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Special Report 71, 45 p. https://doi.org/10.14509/29687

SR 70

Freeman, L.K., Athey, J.E., Lasley, P.S., and Van Oss, E.J., 2015, Alaska's mineral industry 2014: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Special Report 70, 60 p. https://doi.org/10.14509/29515

SR 69

Athey, J.E., Freeman, L.K., Harbo, L.A., and Lasley, P.S., 2014, Alaska's mineral industry 2013: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Special Report 69, 65 p. https://doi.org/10.14509/29128

SR 68

Athey, J.E., Harbo, L.A., Lasley, P.S., and Freeman, L.K., 2013, Alaska's mineral industry, 2012: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Special Report 68, 61 p. https://doi.org/10.14509/25621

SR 67

Szumigala, D.J., 2012, Alaska's mineral industry 2011 - exploration activity: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Special Report 67, 10 p. https://doi.org/10.14509/24584

SR 65

Szumigala, D.J., Harbo, L.A., and Adleman, J.N., 2011, Alaska's mineral industry 2010: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Special Report 65, 83 p. https://doi.org/10.14509/22822

SR 64

Szumigala, D.J., Harbo, L.A., and Hughes, R.A., 2010, Alaska's mineral industry 2009: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Special Report 64, 81 p. https://doi.org/10.14509/21881

IC 60

Hughes, R.A., Szumigala, D.J., and Harbo, L.A., 2010, Alaska's mineral industry 2009: A summary: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Information Circular 60, 15 p. https://doi.org/10.14509/21061

SR 63

Szumigala, D.J., Hughes, R.A., and Harbo, L.A., 2009, Alaska's mineral industry 2008: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Special Report 63, 89 p. https://doi.org/10.14509/20061

IC 58

Szumigala, D.J., Hughes, R.A., and Harbo, L.A., 2009, Alaska's mineral industry 2008: A summary: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Information Circular 58, 15 p. https://doi.org/10.14509/19601

SR 62

Szumigala, D.J., Hughes, R.A., and Harbo, L.A., 2008, Alaska's mineral industry 2007: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Special Report 62, 89 p. https://doi.org/10.14509/17841

IC 57 v. 1.0.1

Szumigala, D.J., and Hughes, R.A., 2008, Alaska's mineral industry 2007: A summary: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Information Circular 57 v. 1.0.1, 15 p. https://doi.org/10.14509/16701

SR 61

Szumigala, D.J., and Hughes, R.A., 2007, Alaska's mineral industry 2006: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Special Report 61, 83 p. https://doi.org/10.14509/15860

IC 54

Szumigala, D.J., and Hughes, R.A., 2007, Alaska's mineral industry 2006: A summary: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Information Circular 54, 20 p. https://doi.org/10.14509/15755

SR 60

Hughes, R.A., and Szumigala, D.J., 2006, Alaska's mineral industry 2005: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Special Report 60, 81 p. https://doi.org/10.14509/15748

IC 52

Szumigala, D.J., and Hughes, R.A., 2006, Alaska's mineral industry 2005: A summary: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Information Circular 52, 19 p. https://doi.org/10.14509/14909

SR 59

Szumigala, D.J., and Hughes, R.A., 2005, Alaska's mineral industry, 2004: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Special Report 59, 75 p. https://doi.org/10.14509/7195

IC 51

Szumigala, D.J., and Hughes, R.A., 2005, Alaska's mineral industry 2004: A summary: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Information Circular 51, 18 p. https://doi.org/10.14509/7083

SR 58

Szumigala, D.J., Hughes, R.A., and Harris, R.H., 2004, Alaska's mineral industry 2003: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Special Report 58, 69 p. https://doi.org/10.14509/6968

IC 50

Szumigala, D.J., 2004, Alaska's mineral industry 2003: A summary: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Information Circular 50, 12 p. https://doi.org/10.14509/3211

SR 57

Szumigala, D.J., Swainbank, R.C., Henning, M.W., and Pillifant, F.M., 2003, Alaska's mineral industry 2002: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Special Report 57, 63 p. https://doi.org/10.14509/2919

IC 49

Szumigala, D.J., and Swainbank, R.C., 2003, Alaska's mineral industry 2002: A summary: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Information Circular 49, 15 p. https://doi.org/10.14509/2876

SR 56

Swainbank, R.C., Szumigala, D.J., Henning, M.W., and Pillifant, F.M., 2002, Alaska's mineral industry 2001: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Special Report 56, 65 p. https://doi.org/10.14509/2871

IC 48

Swainbank, R.C., and Szumigala, D.J., 2002, Alaska's mineral industry 2001: A summary: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Information Circular 48, 15 p. https://doi.org/10.14509/2774

SR 55

Szumigala, D.J., Swainbank, R.C., Henning, M.W., and Pillifant, F.M., 2001, Alaska's mineral industry 2000: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Special Report 55, 66 p. https://doi.org/10.14509/2769

IC 47

Szumigala, D.J., and Swainbank, R.C., 2001, Alaska's mineral industry 2000: A summary: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Information Circular 47, 14 p. https://doi.org/10.14509/2662

SR 54

Swainbank, R.C., Szumigala, D.J., Henning, M.W., and Pillifant, F.M., 2000, Alaska's mineral industry 1999: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Special Report 54, 73 p. https://doi.org/10.14509/2681

IC 46

Swainbank, R.C., and Szumigala, D.J., 2000, Alaska's mineral industry 1999: A summary: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Information Circular 46, 12 p. https://doi.org/10.14509/3236

SR 53

Szumigala, D.J., and Swainbank, R.C., 1999, Alaska's mineral industry 1998: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Special Report 53, 71 p. https://doi.org/10.14509/3340

IC 45

Szumigala, D.J., and Swainbank, R.C., 1999, Alaska's mineral industry 1998: A summary: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Information Circular 45, 12 p. https://doi.org/10.14509/491

SR 52

Swainbank, R.C., Clautice, K.H., and Nauman, J.L., 1998, Alaska's mineral industry 1997: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Special Report 52, 65 p. https://doi.org/10.14509/2651

IC 43

Swainbank, R.C., and Clautice, K.H., 1998, Alaska's mineral industry 1997: A summary: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Information Circular 43, 12 p. https://doi.org/10.14509/489

SR 51

Swainbank, R.C., Bundtzen, T.K., Clough, A.H., and Henning, M.W., 1997, Alaska's mineral industry 1996: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Special Report 51, 68 p. https://doi.org/10.14509/2650

IC 42

Swainbank, R.C., Bundtzen, T.K., Clough, A.H., and Henning, M.W., 1997, Alaska's mineral industry 1996: A summary: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Information Circular 42, 12 p. https://doi.org/10.14509/488

IC 41

Bundtzen, T.K., Swainbank, R.C., Clough, A.H., Henning, M.W., and Charlie, K.M., 1996, Alaska's mineral industry 1995: A summary: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Information Circular 41, 12 p. https://doi.org/10.14509/487

SR 50

Bundtzen, T.K., Swainbank, R.C., Clough, A.H., Henning, M.W., and Charlie, K.M., 1996, Alaska's mineral industry 1995: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Special Report 50, 72 p. https://doi.org/10.14509/2649

IC 40

Swainbank, R.C., and Bundtzen, T.K., 1995, Alaska's mineral industry 1994: A summary: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Information Circular 40, 11 p. https://doi.org/10.14509/486

SR 49

Swainbank, R.C., Bundtzen, T.K., Clough, A.H., Henning, M.W., and Hansen, E.W., 1995, Alaska's mineral industry 1994: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Special Report 49, 77 p. https://doi.org/10.14509/2648

IC 39

Bundtzen, T.K., Swainbank, R.C., Clough, A.H., Henning, M.W., and Hansen, E.W., 1994, Alaska's mineral industry 1993: A summary: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Information Circular 39, 11 p. https://doi.org/10.14509/485

SR 48

Bundtzen, T.K., Swainbank, R.C., Clough, A.H., Henning, M.W., and Hansen, E.W., 1994, Alaska's mineral industry 1993: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Special Report 48, 83 p. https://doi.org/10.14509/2647

IC 36

Swainbank, R.C., Bundtzen, T.K., Clough, A.H., and Hansen, E.W., 1993, Alaska's mineral industry 1992: A summary: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Information Circular 36, 11 p. https://doi.org/10.14509/483

SR 47

Swainbank, R.C., Bundtzen, T.K., Clough, A.H., Hansen, E.W., and Nelson, M.G., 1993, Alaska's mineral industry 1992: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Special Report 47, 80 p. https://doi.org/10.14509/2646

IC 35

Bundtzen, T.K., Swainbank, R.C., Wood, J.E., and Clough, A.H., 1992, Alaska's mineral industry 1991: A summary: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Information Circular 35, 11 p. https://doi.org/10.14509/482

SR 46

Bundtzen, T.K., Swainbank, R.C., Wood, J.E., and Clough, A.H., 1991, Alaska's mineral industry 1991: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Special Report 46, 89 p. https://doi.org/10.14509/2645

PDF 91-6

Swainbank, R.C., Bundtzen, T.K., and Wood, J.E., 1991, Summary of Alaska's mineral industry for 1990: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Public Data File 91-6, 9 p. https://doi.org/10.14509/1473

SR 45

Swainbank, R.C., Bundtzen, T.K., and Wood, J.E., 1991, Alaska's mineral industry 1990: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Special Report 45, 78 p. https://doi.org/10.14509/2644

PDF 90-10

Bundtzen, T.K., and Swainbank, R.C., 1990, Summary of Alaska's mineral industry in 1989: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Public Data File 90-10, 7 p. https://doi.org/10.14509/1444

SR 44

Bundtzen, T.K., Swainbank, R.C., Deagen, J.R., and Moore, J.L., 1990, Alaska's mineral industry 1989: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Special Report 44, 100 p. https://doi.org/10.14509/2643

PDF 89-7

Green, C.B., and Bundtzen, T.K., 1989, Summary of Alaska's mineral industry in 1988: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Public Data File 89-7, 7 p. https://doi.org/10.14509/1408

SR 43

Green, C.B., Bundtzen, T.K., Peterson, R.J., Seward, A.F., Deagen, J.R., and Burton, J.E., 1989, Alaska's mineral industry 1988: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Special Report 43, 79 p. https://doi.org/10.14509/2642

PDF 88-8

Green, C.B., and Bundtzen, T.K., 1988, Alaska's mineral industry 1987: Executive summary: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Public Data File 88-8, 7 p. https://doi.org/10.14509/1357

SR 41

Bundtzen, T.K., Green, C.B., Peterson, R.J., and Seward, A.F., 1988, Alaska's mineral industry 1987: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Special Report 41, 69 p. https://doi.org/10.14509/2640

PDF 87-2

Bundtzen, T.K., and Green, C.B., 1987, Alaska's mineral industry 1986: Executive summary: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Public Data File 87-2, 5 p. https://doi.org/10.14509/1304

SR 40

Bundtzen, T.K., Green, C.B., Deagen, J.R., and Daniels, C.L., 1987, Alaska's mineral industry 1986: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Special Report 40, 68 p. https://doi.org/10.14509/2639

SR 39

Bundtzen, T.K., Eakins, G.R., Green, C.B., and Lueck, L.L., 1986, Alaska's mineral industry 1985: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Special Report 39, 68 p. https://doi.org/10.14509/2638

SR 38

Eakins, G.R., Bundtzen, T.K., Lueck, L.L., Green, C.B., Gallagher, J.L., and Robinson, M.S., 1985, Alaska's mineral industry 1984: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Special Report 38, 57 p. https://doi.org/10.14509/2637

SR 33

Bundtzen, T.K., Eakins, G.R., Clough, J.G., Lueck, L.L., Green, C.B., Robinson, M.S., and Coleman, D.A., 1984, Alaska's mineral industry 1983: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Special Report 33, 56 p. https://doi.org/10.14509/2632

SR 31

Eakins, G.R., Bundtzen, T.K., Robinson, M.S., Clough, J.G., Green, C.B., Clautice, K.H., and Albanese, M.D., 1983, Alaska's mineral industry 1982: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Special Report 31, 68 p. https://doi.org/10.14509/2630

AR 1981-82

Bundtzen, T.K., Eakins, G.R., and Conwell, C.N., 1983, Alaska mineral resources 1981-82: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Annual Report 1981-82, 153 p., 4 sheets. https://doi.org/10.14509/235

AR 1981

Bundtzen, T.K., Eakins, G.R., and Conwell, C.N., 1982, Review of Alaska mineral resources 1981: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Annual Report 1981, 48 p., 2 sheets, scale 1:42,240. https://doi.org/10.14509/234