Dozens of mining claims in Yukon’s Klondike region have been sold in an unusual way — at a heavy equipment auction in Alberta.
The 104 claims were divided into two roughly equal lots and offered at the annual Ritchie Brothers‘ equipment auction in Edmonton a couple of weeks ago.
“It was a little intense. We weren’t sure how it was going to go,” said Elodie Dulac of Haines Junction. Her family’s company, Dulac Mining, sold the claims.
It was an unreserved auction, so there was no minimum price on the claims. In the end, one batch sold for $2,000 per claim, the other for $2,500 per claim — representing a total sale price of $234,500.
The auction listing offered directions to the claims: ‘From Dawson City, YT go 42 miles upstream to 60 Mile River, then 13 miles upstream to 13 Mile Creek.’
Dulac said. “It sold for what it’s worth. “We’re happy, and we’re happy that the people who bought the claims as well are happy.”
Dulac Mining decided to sell the claims because managing all the company’s numerous Klondike holdings was proving a challenge. The company still owns more than 100 adjoining claims that it will continue to work.
Elodie Dulac said she’s already met the new neighbours at a celebratory dinner after the auction.
“They got our contact number and got a hold of us, and they’re actually pretty excited.
“It’s virgin ground, so they’re walking into it blind and we kind of sold it blind. But yeah, it turned out great.”
By Paul Tukker, CBC News
