{
  "story": {
    "slug": "hatcher-pass-gold-is-back",
    "headline": "hatcher pass gold is back",
    "deck": "The gold mines that World War II shut down at Hatcher Pass just sold for $18.75 million, and the drills are already turning.",
    "url": "https://thedailyalaska.com/story/hatcher-pass-gold-is-back",
    "section": "Energy",
    "area": null,
    "published_at": "2026-08-18T20:00:00+00:00",
    "updated_at": "2026-10-02T06:05:50.497272+00:00",
    "body_md": "Contango Silver and Gold purchased the Lucky Shot project leases in June 2026 from Alaska Hardrock Inc. for $18.75 million, acquiring the historic Lucky Shot, War Baby, and Coleman mines across about 8,600 acres in the Willow Mining District near Hatcher Pass in the Mat-Su Borough.\n\nThe mines produced roughly 250,000 ounces of gold between 1922 and 1942 before federal order L-208 halted American gold mining nationwide to redirect resources to the war effort. They have sat idle since.\n\nTwo drilling rigs are now conducting underground exploration at the site, and about 30 people work there year-round. Several recent core samples have come back at bonanza grade, over 20 grams per tonne, with peaks up to 74.5.\n\nThe company held an open house on July 31, including a rock-breaking ceremony. CEO Rick Van Nieuwenhuyse said at the event, \"We want to invest in Alaska. We love this place.\"\n\nA final investment decision on full production is expected roughly 18 months out from mid-2026. If it proceeds, ore would be trucked to Willow and carried by the Alaska Railroad to Fort Knox near Fairbanks or to Seward for processing.",
    "sources": [
      {
        "url": "https://www.akbizmag.com/featured/contango-celebrates-lucky-shot-activities-in-hatcher-pass/",
        "label": "akbizmag.com"
      }
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  "envelope": {
    "story_id": "1854d394-27ca-4e46-a7c5-c6eeb70abfff",
    "slug": "hatcher-pass-gold-is-back",
    "summary": "Contango Silver and Gold bought the Lucky Shot, War Baby, and Coleman mine leases near Hatcher Pass from Alaska Hardrock Inc. for $18.75 million in June 2026. The mines, closed since WWII-era order L-208, now have two drill rigs and 30 year-round workers; a production decision is expected in about 18 months.",
    "key_facts": [
      "Contango Silver and Gold bought the Lucky Shot project leases in June 2026 for $18.75 million",
      "The deal covers Lucky Shot, War Baby, and Coleman mines across about 8,600 acres in the Willow Mining District",
      "The mines produced roughly 250,000 ounces of gold between 1922 and 1942 before federal order L-208 closed them",
      "About 30 people work the site year-round with two drill rigs running underground exploration",
      "Core samples have returned bonanza grade results over 20 grams per tonne, with peaks up to 74.5",
      "A final investment decision on full production is expected roughly 18 months out from mid-2026"
    ],
    "faq": [
      {
        "a": "In the Willow Mining District near Hatcher Pass in the Mat-Su Borough, spread across about 8,600 acres.",
        "q": "Where are Lucky Shot War Baby Coleman mines located?"
      },
      {
        "a": "Contango Silver and Gold paid $18.75 million when they bought the leases from Alaska Hardrock Inc. in June 2026.",
        "q": "How much did Contango pay for the mine leases?"
      },
      {
        "a": "An investment decision is expected roughly 18 months out from mid-2026, so around early 2028.",
        "q": "When will they decide on full production?"
      },
      {
        "a": "It would be trucked to Willow and then moved by the Alaska Railroad to Fort Knox near Fairbanks or to Seward for processing.",
        "q": "Where would the ore be processed?"
      }
    ],
    "claims": [
      {
        "claim": "Contango Silver and Gold purchased the Lucky Shot project leases from Alaska Hardrock Inc. for $18.75 million in June 2026.",
        "confidence": "sourced",
        "source_url": "https://www.akbizmag.com/featured/contango-celebrates-lucky-shot-activities-in-hatcher-pass/",
        "source_label": "akbizmag.com"
      },
      {
        "claim": "The mines produced roughly 250,000 ounces of gold between 1922 and 1942 before federal order L-208 halted gold mining.",
        "confidence": "sourced",
        "source_url": "https://www.akbizmag.com/featured/contango-celebrates-lucky-shot-activities-in-hatcher-pass/",
        "source_label": "akbizmag.com"
      },
      {
        "claim": "Core samples at the site have returned bonanza grade results with peaks up to 74.5 grams per tonne.",
        "confidence": "sourced",
        "source_url": "https://www.akbizmag.com/featured/contango-celebrates-lucky-shot-activities-in-hatcher-pass/",
        "source_label": "akbizmag.com"
      },
      {
        "claim": "A final investment decision on full production is expected roughly 18 months from mid-2026.",
        "confidence": "sourced",
        "source_url": "https://www.akbizmag.com/featured/contango-celebrates-lucky-shot-activities-in-hatcher-pass/",
        "source_label": "akbizmag.com"
      }
    ],
    "locations": [
      {
        "area": "Mat-Su",
        "kind": "region",
        "name": "Hatcher Pass"
      },
      {
        "area": "Mat-Su",
        "kind": "region",
        "name": "Willow Mining District"
      },
      {
        "area": "Mat-Su",
        "kind": "city",
        "name": "Willow"
      },
      {
        "area": "Interior",
        "kind": "facility",
        "name": "Fort Knox"
      },
      {
        "area": "Kenai",
        "kind": "city",
        "name": "Seward"
      }
    ],
    "people": [
      {
        "org": "Contango Silver and Gold",
        "name": "Rick Van Nieuwenhuyse",
        "title": "CEO"
      }
    ],
    "organizations": [
      {
        "kind": "company",
        "name": "Contango Silver and Gold"
      },
      {
        "kind": "company",
        "name": "Alaska Hardrock Inc."
      },
      {
        "kind": "company",
        "name": "Alaska Railroad"
      },
      {
        "kind": "company",
        "name": "Fort Knox"
      }
    ],
    "event_dates": [
      {
        "date": "2026-06",
        "label": "Lease purchase completed"
      },
      {
        "date": "2026-07-31",
        "label": "Open house and rock-breaking ceremony"
      }
    ],
    "story_status": "ongoing",
    "what_changed": null,
    "keywords": [
      "hatcher pass gold mine",
      "contango silver and gold",
      "lucky shot mine",
      "war baby mine",
      "coleman mine",
      "willow mining district",
      "federal order l-208",
      "alaska gold mining"
    ],
    "disclosure": "Produced with AI assistance, narrated with Slav Lund's voice clone with his consent, and reviewed by a person before publishing.",
    "generated_at": "2026-10-01T05:16:45.482+00:00",
    "reviewed_at": null,
    "updated_at": "2026-10-02T06:05:50.497272+00:00"
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      "slug": "contango-silver-and-gold",
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      "url": "https://thedailyalaska.com/codex/contango-silver-and-gold"
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      "slug": "lucky-shot-project",
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    "abstract": "Contango Silver and Gold bought the Lucky Shot, War Baby, and Coleman mine leases near Hatcher Pass from Alaska Hardrock Inc. for $18.75 million in June 2026. The mines, closed since WWII-era order L-208, now have two drill rigs and 30 year-round workers; a production decision is expected in about 18 months.",
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