The United States bought Alaska from Russia in 1867. Gold was found there in 1897. Did the Russians ever mine any metals in Alaska before selling it?

FLAMEONN

http://www.alaskaoutdoorjournal.com/Activities/Goldpanning/kpgold3.html It was not until 1848 that the Russians mounted an expedition solely to search for precious metals in Alaska. In 1848, Peter Doroshin, a Russian mining engineer, was sent by the Russian-America Co. to prospect for precious metals in Alaska. Doroshin was convinced, however, that large placer gold deposits were present in the Kenai Mountains. Thirty-eight years later, his hunch was proven correct. Jul 03 07, 6:03 AM