Gold Mining in Oregon (2024)? All You Need to Know

Oregon’s first gold discovery was in 1850. Last recorded gold production was in the beginning of the 1990s. There is currently no commercial gold mining in the state; read about these and other facts and figures about gold mining in OR.

Is there Gold in Oregon?

Yes, there is gold in Oregon, but no active commercial gold mining industry anymore:

• Gold mining since the middle of the 19^th century for nearly 150 years, with the most active areas in the northeast (Baker and Grant county) and the southwest (Josephine and Jackson county).
• In 1965, Oregon had the 10^th highest output of gold ever produced in the USA, after Idaho and before Washington. The states with the highest outputs were California, Colorado and South Dakota.
• Contributed to US gold production till the beginning of the 1990s but only on a minor scale, without published production numbers for the last 10 years.
• Oregon annual gold output was published in 1983 for the last time. In that year, 322 ounces of gold were produced. This is 0.01 tonnes (or around 0.2% of the annual US gold output, which was 62 tonnes).
• Around 4,800 historic gold sites in Oregon are listed by the US geological Survey, this includes Afterthought, the Ajax mine and the Arnold mine.
• Several gold projects in Oregon that might develop into gold mines.

Key Takeaways:

Fact	Explanation
Remember	Commercial gold mining ceased in the 1990s with the closure of the last mines
Gold Deposits	Yes
Discovery Year	1850
Discoverer	Not recorded
Mining Industry	Not active
Last Gold Mine	In the last years of gold production, only small mines were active that produced mostly less than 50 ounces  (1.6kg) of gold per year. There is no record which of these mines was the last to operate.
Panning Locations	Along the Rogue river, Powder river, Quartzville creek and John Day river

Check out the video about exploring Cornucopia, Oregon’s richest gold mine:

Where is Gold in Oregon?

Gold in Oregon was mined in several areas, primarily in the northeast in the Blue Mountains (Baker and Grand county) and in the Southwest Goldfields (Josephine and Jackson county), also called Southern Oregon Gold Belt.

Key locations include:

1. Greenhorn District: Located in the remote part of Oregon’s Blue Mountains, this district straddles the Baker-Grant county line and is known for significant gold mining activity, including both placer and lode mining.
2. Josephine County: The Illinois River district and the Waldo district in Josephine County are significant for their historical gold mining. The Illinois River district is particularly noted for its early mining activities dating back to 1852, while the Waldo district boasts over 200,000 ounces of recorded placer gold production.
3. Galice District: Also in Josephine County, the Galice district has a history of placer mining dating back to 1854. This district, along with the Illinois River district, forms a rich gold belt extending over 40 miles.
4. Upper Applegate District: Situated in the southwest corner of Jackson County and the southeast corner of Josephine County, this district has a long history of placer gold mining with over 200,000 ounces of placer gold estimated to have been recovered.
5. Quartzville District: This district is located southwest of the town of Detroit and is known for its historical mining camp that started in the 1860s. It remains a popular area for recreational gold prospectors.
6. Granite and Sumpter Districts: These districts are known for their prosperous gold camps and active placer mining areas, with Granite located in Grant County and Sumpter in Baker County. The area between these districts, known as Buck Gulch, is notable for a high density of modern placer claims.
7. Cornucopia District: Known for its alpine-like rugged mountain valley, the Cornucopia district saw millions of dollars in gold mined from the Union-Companion and Last Chance mines starting in 1885.
8. Bohemia District: Located about 25 miles southeast of Cottage Grove, this district experienced initial activity in the mid-1860s and saw a resurgence in the mid-1890s.

These locations highlight Oregon’s extensive gold mining history, which continues to attract prospectors and historians alike.

Sources: Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries, USGS

What is the History of Gold Mining in Oregon?

Gold mining has a rich history in Oregon, going back to 1850. The discovery of gold played a significant role in attracting settlers and miners to the region, contributing to the state’s growth and the establishment of numerous mining towns. Between the 1850s and the 1960s, gold output by the mines were between $130 million and $215 million.

Who discovered gold in Oregon?

Gold was discovered in Oregon in 1850 in southwestern Oregon on Josephine Creek, on the Illinois River, and on creeks near Jacksonville. This is known because of a newspaper article in the Alta California. However, the name of the discoverer was not recorded.

What was the nature of gold mining in Oregon?

After the discovery, it took two years longer, until 1852, for the start of gold mining. Placers were soon exhausted. Lode mining began in 1859.

When was the gold rush in Oregon?

There was no gold rush in Oregon comparable to the famous California gold rush. However, gold discoveries that were widely published in 1861 attracted many prospectors to Baker country and other areas. Around 1870, many goldfields were expired. Still, the avalanche of prospectors led to the establishment of a diversified industry and infrastructure (farming, cattle raising, railroads, expanding cities etc.).

Check out a video about the Oregon gold rush:

 

When did industrial mining start in Oregon?

See the graph below for the annual gold mining activity in Oregon from 1881 till 1965. After the first goldfields were exhausted, other sites in the Canyon Creek, Waldo and in Galice district led to continuous gold production. A steep production drop in the 1910s was followed by a short increase in gold mining in the Sumpter and Cornucopia districs. However, in the 1930s, the production decline became permanent.

In 1965 Oregon was the 10^th biggest gold mining state in the US, by total gold production; see below.

When did industrial mining end in Oregon?

In the 1940s there was a steep decline in gold mining activities. Gold mining continued until the 1990s at a much lower scale than in the past.

Sources: Oregon History Project, USGS

How much Gold has been Mined in Oregon?

There is no record of the total amount of gold ever mined in Oregon.

Until 1965, in total 5,769,680 ounces of gold had been mined in the state. However, gold mining reports from the 19^th century were spotty.

Sources: USGS

What is the Current State of Gold Mining in Oregon?

The state of gold mining in Oregon is largely limited to recreational prospecting and small-scale operations.

• In the middle of the 1980s, 24 gold operations were recorded; half of them placer mines. And only a minority produced more than 50 ounces (1.6kg) of gold per year.
• The last bigger gold mine, of which the name is recorded by the US Geological Society, was the Silver King Mines’ Iron Dyke Mine in Baker county. Its closure was in 1984.
• Since the middle of the 1990s, there has not been any gold production recorded by the US Geological Society in the state of Oregon. In the years before, gold production was at very low levels.

What is the major gold mine in Oregon?

There are no active gold mines in Oregon.

How many Gold Reserves are in Oregon?

There is no estimate about the gold reserves in Oregon.

What Companies Mine Gold in Oregon?

There are currently no active commercial gold mines in Oregon. Current gold mining activities in Oregon are amateur and hobby prospecting, primarily consisting of individual or small-scale placer operations.

However, there are several mining companies that developing gold mines in the state; see next section.

Where are New Gold Mines Explored or Developed in Oregon?

There are several exploration projects that might lead to gold mining operations in Oregon, such as:

• Paramount Gold proposes mining for gold at the site of mine closes some 50 years ago: the Grassy Mountain Gold Mine. The Nevada company estimates to extract 362,000 ounces of gold and 425,000 ounces of silver over eight years as an underground operation. The application was submitted end of 2023 and is currently under regulatory review. A first in the state is their proposed extraction process: chemical processing with a cynide solution.
• Alamos Gold works on the Quartz Mountain Gold exporation project in south-central Oregon. Its measured and indicated gold resources are 339 000 ounces. It is planned as an open-pit heap leach operation.

Sources: Alamos Gold, opb, resource world

Is it Legal to Mine Gold in Oregon?

Yes, it is legal to mine gold in Oregon, subject to certain regulations and guidelines.

• Recreational gold panning sites are open to the public and do not require a mining claim.
• Gold panning is allowed on public lands managed by agencies such as the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the U.S. Forest Service, although some areas may have restrictions or require permits. It’s important to check with the managing agency before beginning any gold panning activities.
• Additionally, prospecting on private property without the landowner’s permission is illegal, so it’s necessary to obtain written consent before starting.
• There are stringent limitations to suction dredging, particularly in areas designated as essential salmon habitat. The 700-PM general permit from the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality outlines specific restrictions, including prohibitions on motorized in-stream placer mining in essential salmon habitats and limitations on the size and power of suction dredges.

Sources: Oregon Department of Environmental Quality

Where Can I Pan for Gold in Oregon?

Check out the video about the Bohemian mountain gold district:

In Oregon, there are several areas where you can pan for gold. Here are some notable locations:

• Burnt River Recreation Area: Managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), this area allows access to the river’s gravel bars for gold panning. It’s a popular site for both novice and experienced gold prospectors​
• Sharps Creek Recreation Site: Located in the Umpqua National Forest, Sharps Creek is known for gold-bearing sediments in its gravel bars and banks. This site, managed by the U.S. Forest Service, is suitable for both panning and sluicing, offering a peaceful prospecting experience amid forested beauty​
• Gold Nugget Wayside: Near the city of Gold Hill in Jackson County, Gold Nugget Wayside provides access to the Rogue River, known for its placer gold. It’s an excellent spot for recreational gold panning, though large equipment is prohibited​
• Cow Creek Recreation Area: In Roseburg, this area offers claim-free access to Cow Creek, a sidestream of the Umpqua River. It’s a family-friendly spot that, besides gold panning, offers hiking, fishing, horseback riding, watersports, and picnicking​
• Sixes River BLM Recreational Mining Site: Located near the community of Sixes, this site provides access to the Sixes River, famed for its high placer gold content. The site also doubles as a campsite during the summer, making it a popular choice for out-of-state panners
• Little Applegate Recreation Site: This site provides access to the Applegate River, one of Oregon’s richest rivers for gold prospecting. It’s one of the few commercial access points to the river, offering various activities beyond panning

Sources: how to find rocks, silver recyclers

Is There Gold in Other US States?

Check out gold production in the neighboring states of Oregon: Washington, Idaho, Nevada and California.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGC), there are 11 states that mine gold and contribute towards the gold mining statistic: Nevada is responsible for the majority of gold output, around 72%, followed by Alaska (13%). 9 other contribute in sum to the remaining 15% of gold production: Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Michigan, New Mexico, South Carolina, South Dakota and Utah.