My family has mined gold on the same claim in Alaska for 42 years now. At today's operating cost $1000oz is barely worth the time and expense. Keep in mind that unrefined gold sells for aprox 80% of trade value. So that 1000 is only 800 to a buyer/assayer.

go pan all day and all one gets is a hunched back. To get pay-dirt means heavy equipment. And heavy equipment means spending money. A lot of money.