Operations intensified at Dominion Creek this week as Parker Schnabel pushed forward with a major expansion of his mining setup on Gold Rush — reviving his 45-ton wash plant “Sluicifer” while battling mechanical setbacks that briefly threatened production.
Generator Failure Halts Bob
The week began with disruption at the Bridge Cut when wash plant “Bob” suddenly shut down after its generator failed. With conveyors and shaker decks grinding to a halt, the crew quickly diagnosed a likely fuel issue.
A backup generator was rushed to site and lifted into position. Within hours, Bob was restarted, restoring full processing capacity. The swift recovery prevented what could have become a costly production delay during a critical push to increase output.
Awakening ‘Sluicifer’
Attention then turned to relocating Sluicifer — the $600,000 wash plant that had not washed rocks in two years — onto the Golden Mile cut at Dominion.
Site boss Tyson Lee, who first worked on the plant nine years ago, oversaw the careful maneuver. The 45-ton unit was hauled roughly 100 feet uphill and spun into position on its new pad before being mounted and commissioned.
“This plant was the one I learned on,” Tyson said, describing it as central to the season’s production goals.
Estimates suggest the Golden Mile ground could contain as much as 3,500 ounces, making the plant’s return strategically significant.
Two Plants Running — For the First Time
With both Bob and Sluicifer operational, Schnabel now has two major wash plants running simultaneously on Dominion for the first time. A third plant is expected to come online within weeks.
At the weekly weigh-in:
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Bob delivered 161.8 ounces, up from 126 ounces the previous week.
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Sluicifer, after just three days on the Golden Mile, produced 112.1 ounces.
Combined weekly total: 273.9 ounces, valued at just under $1 million at current gold prices.
Season total now stands at 399.7 ounces.
Rivalry Intensifies
The expansion also follows Schnabel’s recent hiring of Kaden Foote, formerly part of Kevin Beets’ crew — adding further tension between the two Yukon operations.
With two plants active and a third on the horizon, Schnabel’s strategy is clear: increase throughput and capitalize on Dominion’s promising ground before the short northern season runs out.
If Golden Mile continues to pay, this may mark the beginning of Dominion’s strongest production stretch yet.
