PARADISE HILL, YUKON — As frost creeps across the Yukon and most operations wind down, mining legend Tony Beets is turning up the heat. With a season goal of 5,000 ounces in sight, the self-proclaimed “King of the Klondike” has gone full throttle — and it’s paid off.
With just 180 ounces left to hit target, Beets launched an aggressive end-of-season push. Already running two wash plants — the Trauml at Paradise Hill and the Slle at Indian River — Beets attempted to fire up a third in the long-coveted Hester Cut. But the soggy, unstable ground turned the site into a mud-filled disaster. Not one to back down, Beets’ daughter Monica pivoted to a smarter play: processing old-timer tailings known to contain gold.
The change in strategy led to a surprise reveal. Tony unveiled a brand-new, half-million-dollar wash plant — a high-capacity behemoth designed to chew through the remaining paydirt with speed and precision. Dubbed the “Super Sloo,” the plant was quickly assembled and locked into place by the Beets family crew, with Monica, Mike, and Glenn taking lead roles in the massive setup.
The results? Spectacular.
In a tense and emotional weigh-in, the Indian River team brought in 205.80 ounces from the comeback cut — enough to break the 5,000-ounce barrier. Then came Paradise Hill’s cleanup: a massive 264.76-ounce haul from Mike Beets’ domain. With those totals, the Beets crew reached 5,290 ounces, closing in on their all-time seasonal record.
At current market prices, the gold is worth nearly $14 million.
The crew celebrated the milestone with cheers and a few classic Beets-style jabs. Tony praised Monica’s tactical switch and Mike’s strong finish, quipping about his spending habits and hinting there might not be much inheritance left.
But even with the target smashed, the season isn’t over. Tony made it clear — “That’s all, folks,” might signal a wrap-up, but not a stop. With the new plant in full swing and a few weeks left, the Beets are gunning for gold and eyeing a personal record.
Stay tuned — the Klondike may yet crown a new champion season.
