Fort Knox is an open-pit gold mine in the Fairbanks mining district near Fox, Alaska, owned by Kinross Gold. Discovered in 1987, it poured its first gold at the end of 1996 and has produced more than 7.5 million ounces.[1]
| Location | Fairbanks mining district, near Fox |
|---|---|
| Discovered | 1987 |
| Opened | 1996 |
| Owner | Kinross Gold |
| Total production (to end 2019) | Over 7.5 million ounces |
| Heap leach online | 2009 |
Location
The mine lies in the Fairbanks mining district. The source gives two distances, 9 miles east of Fox and 15 miles northeast of Fairbanks.[1]
History and ownership
The deposit was discovered in 1987 after an initial exploration find. Amax Gold bought the property in 1992, and Amax merged with Kinross Gold in 1998. The mine opened in 1996, with the first gold pour at the end of that year.[1]
Operation
Fort Knox is an open pit, operated as a single large pit. A valley-fill heap leach operation came online in 2009 and handles lower-grade ore trucked from the pit, while carbon-in-leach handles higher-grade ore.[1]
Production and reserves
The mine produced 237,925 gold equivalent ounces in financial year 2020 and more than 7.5 million ounces in total as of December 31, 2019, having passed 7 million in 2016. Proven and probable reserves at that date were 255.8 million tonnes at 0.3 grams per tonne, containing 2.80 million ounces, compared with 4.2 million ounces at 0.83 grams per tonne before production in 1996.[1]
FAQs
When did Fort Knox open? 1996.
Who owns it? Kinross Gold.
What type of mine is it? An open pit with heap leach and carbon-in-leach processing.
Sources
Key facts
- Opened 1996
- Over 7.5 million oz produced to 2019
Quick checkWhen was Fort Knox discovered?Show answer
1987
Sources
- Wikipedia (via Wikiwand). Fort Knox mine. 2026 (accessed 2026-11-14)
Editorially reviewed by Specialty Digest Editorial TeamLast reviewed November 14, 2026Researched and drafted with AI assistanceReport an issue