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Platinum
For a Map of Platinum click here
| Current Population: |
47
(2008 DCCED Certified Population)
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| Incorporation Type: |
2nd Class City |
| Borough Located In: |
Unorganized |
| Taxes: |
Sales: None,
Property: None, Special: None
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| Coastal Management District: |
Ceñaliulriit CRSA |
|
| Location
and Climate |
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Platinum is located on the Bering Sea coast, below Red Mountain on the south spit of Goodnews Bay. It lies 11 miles from Goodnews Bay and 123 miles southwest of Bethel. It is 440 miles west of Anchorage. The community
lies at approximately 59.013060° North Latitude
and -161.816390° West Longitude.
(Sec. 32, T013S, R075W, Seward Meridian.)
Platinum is located in the
Bethel Recording District.
The area encompasses 44.6
sq. miles of land and 0.1 sq. miles
of water.
Platinum has a marine climate. Average annual precipitation is 22 inches, with 43 inches of snowfall. Summer highs range from 53 to 57 °F, winter highs average 6 to 9 °F. Extremes have been measured from -34 to 82 °F. |
Topographic
map of
Platinum
area
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| History, Culture
and Demographics |
| Platinum is near a traditional village site called Arviq. The community was established shortly after traces of platinum were discovered by an Eskimo named Walter Smith in 1926. Between 1927 and 1934, several small placer mines operated on creeks in the area. Some 3,000 troy ounces of platinum were mined over that period, with a value of about $48 per ounce. A post office opened in 1935. The "big strike" occurred in October of 1936, which brought a stampede of prospectors for "white gold." The claims proved to be too deep for hand mining methods and were bought out by two companies. The largest, Goodnews Mining Co., eventually acquired title to over 150 claims. In 1937, a large dredge was built at the mining site, about 10 miles from the Village of Platinum. The company also constructed bunkhouses, a recreation hall, offices, shops, and a cafeteria. Platinum developed as a "company town," with the store, water, and electricity supplied by the mine. A school opened in 1960. By 1975, 545,000 ounces of platinum had been mined at the site. The city government was formed. The mine was later sold to Hanson Properties, who estimated reserves of over 500,000 ounces -- it ceased operations in 1990.
A federally-recognized tribe is located in the community -- the Platinum Traditional Village.
The population of the community consists of 92.7%
Alaska Native or part Native.
Because the community was founded as a commercial center and has always seen an influx of outsiders, local traditions have not been retained as much as in other villages. Platinum is one of the few Eskimo villages in the region in which the first language of the children is English. The economy is primarily cash-based. The sale or importation of alcohol is banned in the village.
During the 2000 U.S. Census,
total housing units numbered 26, and vacant housing units numbered 9.
Vacant housing units used
only seasonally numbered 8.
U.S. Census data for Year
2000 showed 24 residents
as employed. The unemployment rate at that time was
27.27 percent,
although
46.67 percent of
all adults were not in the work force. The median household
income was $21,250, per capita income was $7,632, and
22 percent of residents
were living below the poverty level.
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| Facilities,
Utilities, Schools and Health Care |
| Seven HUD houses have individual water wells, septic systems, and complete plumbing. During the summer, untreated water is hauled from approximately fifteen watering points. During winter, residents dig holes in the ice to draw water. Honeybuckets are disposed of in seepage pits. The city operates the electric service once provided by the mining company.
Electricity is provided by City of Platinum.
There is one school located in the community,
attended by 14
students.
Local hospitals or health clinics include Platinum Village Clinic (907-979-8212).
Platinium is classified as an isolated village, it is found in EMS Region 2I in the Bristol Bay Region. Emergency Services have coastal and air access. Emergency service is provided by a health aide
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| Economy
and Transportation |
Commercial fishing, the school, store,s and city provide employment. Platinum is a major supplier of gravel to area villages. Six residents hold commercial fishing permits. Subsistence activities are also an important part of the lifestyle. Salmon and seal are the staples of the diet. The community is interested in developing a marine repair facility and dry dock, a seafood processing plant, specialty seafoods venture, or herring roe aquaculture project.
The community relies heavily on air transportation for passengers and mail and cargo service. There are two gravel airstrips. One is state-owned, at 3,304' long by 60' wide with a 1,924' long by 40' wide crosswind runway. The second is a 2,000' long by 75' wide gravel airstrip owned by the Platinum Mine. A seaplane landing site is also available. Barge services deliver goods twice a year. Boats, snow machines, and ATVs are used for local travel and subsistence activities. |
Organizations
with Local Offices
City -
City of Platinum
P.O. Box 47
Platinum, AK 99651-0047
Phone 907-979-8114
Fax 907-979-8210
Village Corporation -
Arviq, Incorporated
P.O. Box 9
Platinum, AK 99651
Phone 907-979-8113
Fax 907-979-8229
Village Council -
Platinum Traditional Village
P.O. Box 8
Platinum, AK 99651
Phone 907-979-8220
Fax 907-979-8178
E-mail ptutribal@hotmail.com
Regional
Organizations
Regional Native Corporation - Calista Corporation
301 Calista Court, Suite A
Anchorage, AK 99518-3028
Phone 907-279-5516
Fax 907-272-5060
E-mail calista@calistacorp.com
Web http://www.calistacorp.com
CDQ Group - Coastal Villages Region Fund
711 H Street, Suite 200
Anchorage, AK 99501-3461
Phone 907-278-5151
Fax 907-278-5150
E-mail morgen_c@coastalvillages.org
Web http://www.coastalvillages.org/
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