FAQ
Placer mining school FAQ.
Short answers on the program, tuition, Dawson City, and what the certificate does and does not mean. If your question is about your specific operation, use the apply form.
What is Klondike Placer Institute?
A professional school for placer mine operators, taught in Dawson City, Yukon. The core program is a ten-day owner/operator intensive covering exploration, mine design, water and recovery, compliance, and seasonal economics.
Is this a licence or a mining credential?
No. Graduates receive a Certificate of Completion only. It is not a licence, ticket, or regulatory credential, and it does not replace Yukon permitting or required workplace training.
How long is the program?
Ten days. Five classroom and workshop days are interwoven with five field days on Dawson-area mine sites.
Where is the program held?
Dawson City, Yukon, in the Klondike placer camp. Field instruction takes place on operating mines in the Dawson area.
How many students are in a cohort?
A maximum of 12, with a 1:6 field group ratio. A cohort requires a minimum of eight students to run.
What does tuition cost?
Founding tuition is C$8,950 for the first 24 students. Standard tuition is C$9,950. Premium tuition is C$12,950. Airfare and lodging are not included.
What is included in tuition?
Instruction, Dawson-area mine-site transportation, a PPE kit, lunches on program days, course materials and planning templates, alumni access, and a Certificate of Completion.
Who should apply?
Aspiring owner/operators, working miners and successors, supervisors, and professionals who need a working command of placer operations. Recreational panning trips are not the purpose of the school.
Who teaches the program?
Nicholas Gust, founder and Exploration Instructor, leads the intensive. Field days use qualified leads and host-mine protocols.
When does the founding cohort run?
Dates are confirmed with accepted applicants. Apply if you have a clear use for the next season; invitations go out as the founding seats are allocated.
Do I need prior mining experience?
Serious operating intent matters more than a specific job title. The room is mixed. Complete beginners looking for a holiday will not be a fit; people who intend to operate, supervise, fund, or succeed into an operation will.
How do I apply?
Use the application form or email nicholasgust@gmail.com. No payment is collected with the invitation request.