It appears reality TV gold mACiners will be back in Haines this summer.
RAW TV, the production crew behind the Discovery Channel’s “Gold Rush” series, is seeking a five-month land-use permit for a summer camp near the confluence of McKinley and Porcupine creeks in the historic Porcupine gold-mining district.
“Dustin and I are going to be filmed this summer for a new show going after the source of the Porcupine Creek gold up in raging McKinley Creek and Cahoon Creek,” miner “Dakota” Fred Hurt said on his Facebook page on March 10.
In a phone interview, Hurt declined to provide information about filming but confirmed that he and son Dustin would be prospecting, dredging and drilling on two claims they hold there.
“RAW or Discovery will have to tell you (about filming). Our contracts are pretty stringent, you understand… We’re going to be mining up there like we did the last few years,” Hurt said.
Hurt’s mining operation was dropped from “Gold Rush” after the 2013 season. Since then, Hurt said he has been working on a gold-mining documentary “Gold-Blooded,” which he described as in final edits.
In a Feb. 25 Facebook posting, Hurt said he was seeking mechanics, divers and mountaineers to work on a swift-water suction dredge gold mine “for a brand new gold mining TV show on a major cable network.”
RAW TV is seeking permits to put six 8-by-8 foot, seasonal plywood cabins and a 12-by-12 commons building on the site.
Greg Palmieri at the state Division of Forestry office said he’s made a preliminary review of the production company’s permit application. “I read it and didn’t see anything that jumped out at me.”
Scott Gala filed a permit application for RAW TV. He did not respond to a phone message left for him Wednesday.