Yukon Territory – Family mining operations are rarely without drama, and the Beets crew is proving that once again. Monica Beets, long known for her role in cleaning gold, was promised her own cut to oversee this season. But despite assurances from her father, Tony Beets, her project has been repeatedly delayed in favor of other priorities.
⚒️ A Promised Cut
Tony had originally opened up a 1.5-acre cut of virgin ground, a “piggy bank” of untouched pay dirt. He told Monica the Hester cut would be hers to mine, marking a significant step forward in her role within the family business. With Mike and Kevin already running their own operations, Monica was eager to finally take charge of her own claim.
Her plan hinged on reviving Tony’s 33-year-old Moose Creek trommel, a 35-ton wash plant that had sat idle for two years. Mike agreed to haul the equipment to the yard for repairs, and welders were set to restore it. “It would be nice for her to get a cut going,” Tony admitted, recognizing Monica’s growing role.
🔧 Plans Interrupted
But just as Monica’s trommel reached the yard, Mike was called away to handle urgent repairs elsewhere. The welding crew followed, leaving Monica’s project sidelined. “It will never be top priority,” Monica reflected, frustrated that her cut was once again pushed to the bottom of the list.
Tony’s hyperfocus on his own discoveries only added to the tension. While inspecting a mined-out corner of the super pit, he uncovered a pocket of gold-rich ground missed by old-timers. With visible layers of pay dirt and false bedrock, Tony insisted the crew redirect efforts to pump and mine the new find immediately. “You don’t find these spots like that ever,” he said, determined not to leave gold in the ground.
💔 Monica Left Waiting
Monica, expecting a pump to drain her cut, was told instead that the equipment would be used on Tony’s discovery. “Boys first. That’s always been this place,” she said bitterly. Though Tony promised her turn would come later, Monica couldn’t help but feel “shafted.”
“How do you know my cut isn’t just as nice as this one?” she challenged. Tony brushed off the concern, saying if her cut was equally rich, “we got lucky twice.”
🌟 Looking Ahead
For now, Monica’s Hester cut remains on hold, her trommel idle and her plans delayed. While Tony and Mike chase immediate pay dirt, Monica waits for her chance to prove herself as more than just the family’s gold cleaner. “It sucks kind of being pushed back to the bottom of the list,” she admitted. Still, she remains determined to see her cut mined—eventually.
