But gold remains a key part of Alaska’s economy, as the backbone of the state’s mining industry. The nearly 850,000 ounces ... Given the growing challenge of finding labor and the usual obstacles from ...

The lifeblood of the region is the Kuskokwim River, extending 724 miles from deep in the Alaskan interior to the rugged Bering Sea ... gold mines in the Kuskokwim watershed. To support mining ...

Average seas in the Bering Sea have around 10- to 20-foot waves ... Before heading up to Alaska, the ship loads up with three months' worth of food. Even so, it's hardly necessary.