Gulf of Alaska beach sands could be mined

Part of the beach at Icy Cape is seen from the water Aug. 8, 2008. The Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority Lands Office says beach sands contain gold and garnet, which has industrial uses. (Photo by Sam Beebe/Creative Commons)
The Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority is advancing plans to mine Gulf of Alaska beach sands about 75 miles northwest of Yakutat.
The trust’s board allocated $2 million last month to create a new entity to begin developing the project on land it owns at Icy Cape.