As the season winds down, Tony Beets, the self-proclaimed “King of the Klondike,” is on the verge of reaching a milestone that would put a cap on an already impressive year. The veteran miner is just 180 ounces away from hitting his ambitious goal of 5,000 ounces of gold—an achievement that would make this season one for the record books. However, Beets isn’t content with simply meeting his target; he aims to smash through it with an extraordinary push in the final weeks of the season.
Beets’ determination to exceed expectations is driven by the soaring gold prices, which have seen significant growth throughout the year. As the market continues to rise, the pressure to maximize output grows. “If we get more than our goal, great,” Beets said, reflecting on his relentless work ethic. “It all depends on how much effort you want to put into it as to how much money you want to make.”
With two plants already in full production—Paradise Hill and Sluicifer at Indian River—Beets has big plans for the final stretch. A third plant, however, has yet to make its mark. The pressure is now on his daughter, Monica, to get the plant up and running. The virgin ground at Moose Creek, which has been untouched for years, looks promising, but challenges have slowed progress. “It’s full of water. The pop pump can’t keep up,” Monica reported, making the situation appear bleak. Despite these setbacks, Beets is determined to push forward. “I’ve been looking at this cut for 40 years, so it’s about time to get it out,” he asserted. Unfortunately, after attempts to dig out the area failed, Beets decided to pivot, opting for a new plan to extract gold from oldtailings left behind by miners from a bygone era.
The tailings pile, situated a mere 1,000 feet from the Hester Cut, proved a treasure trove of gold in the past. Four years ago, Beets mined the tailings for five weeks, extracting a hefty 330 ounces of gold. The gold prices at the time, however, were half of what they are now, so the potential this time is even greater. “The gold price has doubled since the last time we were here,” Beets said, seeing an opportunity to reap even greater rewards.
As Beets set his sights on the tailings, the stakes grew higher. “We can plunk down the new plant and get going,” he explained. Enter a new surprise—an innovative $500,000 wash plant. Unlike the others in his fleet, this one is specifically designed to handle larger boulders, which will be essential in recovering the gold from the heavy, rocky dirt. With the new plant in place, it was time for Monica, Glenn, and the rest of the crew to work their magic. As the family gathered to help install the plant, Tony was keen to see it work at full capacity, eager to push the operation into overdrive.
Once in position, the plant’s setup required expert precision. It was a race against time as Monica and her team worked to get everything ready. “We got to put in the pump and fuse a couple pipes, and we’re done,” Tony instructed, as they rushed to get the plant running. The new equipment, designed to handle big boulders, works by feeding pay dirt into the hopper, using water to wash the gold from the rocks. Hydraulic steel fingers move the waste away, while the heavier gold falls through the sluices below. This new plant is poised to make a huge impact, and Beets is betting on it to deliver the gold he needs to surpass his target.
As the days passed, Beets’ confidence grew, but it wasn’t just about hitting the 5,000-ounce target; it was about pushing the boundaries of what he and his family could achieve. “I’m really glad Tony likes the idea,” Monica said, reflecting on the gold extraction process. “I think it’s brilliant, but that’s because I had it.” With everyone working together, the operation gained momentum, and soon they had their first taste of success.
The first gold pour from the Indian River operation was a sign of things to come. “We had another good week,” Tony said, as the family gathered to weigh the haul. A respectable 205.8 ounces of gold was extracted, which translated into a value of over $500,000. This solidified Beets’ position in the race to reach 5,000 ounces, taking him one step closer to his goal. The family was elated—5,000 ounces was no longer just a dream, but a reality within their grasp.
With an overall total now exceeding 5,000 ounces, the Beets crew continued their efforts, seeking out every last ounce they could find. “We might even top ourselves this year,” Tony remarked, as the family wrapped up another successful day of mining. With just a couple of weeks left in the season, there was still hope they could exceed their goal, securing an even greater haul and making this the best season in their history.
As the gold continues to flow, Beets remains focused on maximizing the operation’s potential. With 5,290 ounces already extracted—worth nearly $14 million—there’s still time left to reach for the stars. The “King of the Klondike” may have reached his goal, but he’s not stopping there. The sky is the limit for Tony Beets, and his quest for gold is far from over.
