Tony Beets Strikes Gold: A Record-Breaking Finale in the Klondike
As frost creeps across the Yukon and the sun sets on another mining season, most operations begin to wind down. But for Tony Beets—dubbed the “King of the Klondike”—this is no time to slow down. With just 180 ounces left to reach his ambitious 5,000-ounce season goal, Beets is pushing harder than ever. His drive is relentless, his eye firmly fixed on not just meeting the target—but surpassing it.
The Final Push
All season long, Tony has maintained a singular focus: maximize yield while gold prices remain high and the ground stays workable. Already running two wash plants—his trusty Trommel at Paradise Hill and the “Sluice” at Indian River—Tony saw an opportunity to do more. In a bold move, he set his sights on firing up a third plant, targeting one final untapped resource: the Hester Cut.
But the Hester Cut held more than gold. It harbored 40 years of hope—and heartache. Tony’s daughter Monica had attempted to work the ground earlier in the season, but groundwater and unstable soil conditions quickly turned the promising site into a costly mud pit. Heavy machinery sank, and even draining the site proved impossible. Disappointed but not defeated, Monica proposed a pivot: mining old-timer tailings—material discarded by early miners that still held gold.
It was a safer bet and a timely one. Years earlier, the Beets family had pulled over 330 ounces from these very tailings in just five weeks. With gold prices now nearly double, the decision made itself. But to make it work, they needed more capacity—fast.
The Surprise Investment
In a surprise move, Tony called Monica to the yard and unveiled a brand-new, state-of-the-art wash plant. Valued at half a million dollars, the gleaming machine was built for speed and power—equipped with a massive hopper, high-pressure jets, and hydraulic steel fingers to separate gold from waste. More than just efficient, it was a game-changer.
With time ticking down, the Beets crew mobilized quickly. Monica and Glenn lifted the 17-ton structure using an 18-ton excavator, while cousin Mike prepared the base. Under Tony’s sharp direction, the plant was expertly maneuvered into place beside the tailings. Monica delivered the final push, and with a satisfying clank, the wash plant was locked in.
Still, a few tasks remained before they could go live—hooking up water systems and fusing pipes—but momentum was on their side. The Beets crew was racing toward the finish line with a fire that has made them legends in the Klondike.
The Moment of Truth
After days of around-the-clock digging and sluicing, the Beets family gathered at their familiar gold weigh station. Spirits were high but nerves lingered—this cleanup could be the one to push them past their seasonal goal.
Monica, never shy about her results, reported a strong week. Tony responded with a smirk and a dig about her “banker’s hours,” which Monica countered with a quip about his jealousy. But jokes gave way to business.
With a gold pan in hand and scales ready, the team began with the Indian River “Comeback Cut.” As glittering flakes poured into the jar, silence fell. The count climbed—10, 20, 60, 90—until it finally landed at 205.80 ounces. Cheers erupted. With that, the Beets family officially surpassed the 5,000-ounce mark. At current prices, the haul was worth over $543,000.
Tony beamed with pride. “Every ounce from here on out,” someone joked, “is pure profit.” Tony laughed, reminding them in classic fashion that with the way he spends, “there might not be much inheritance left.”
A Season for the Record Books
But they weren’t done yet. Next came the weigh-in from Paradise Hill—Mike Beets’ domain. As the counter ticked past 100, then 200, it finally landed at an impressive 264.76 ounces, bringing their seasonal total to 5,290 ounces—just shy of their all-time record. At sky-high gold prices, their haul now neared $14 million in value.
Tony gave Mike a rare nod of fatherly pride, calling it a “strong haul for Mini Beets.” For a season that was nearly derailed by the Hester Cut disaster, this turnaround was remarkable. Monica’s quick thinking and Tony’s bold investment had revived the operation just in time.
As the gold weigh-in wrapped up, the team exchanged jokes and high-fives. Monica urged the crew to “bring back even more gold.” Tony, never one to pass up a dramatic exit, grinned and declared, “That’s all folks.” But everyone knew—they weren’t done.
Eyes on the Prize
With the new super sluice in full swing and energy at a season high, the Beets crew isn’t just finishing strong—they’re chasing history. There’s still ground to work, gold to dig, and perhaps, a new personal record to set.
In the Klondike, legends aren’t born—they’re mined.
