Darrell Carey wins ownership of gold claims in Klondike

Placer miner Darrell Carey has won a bidding contest for a group of 25 gold claims on the Midnight Dome that overlooks Dawson City in Yukon's Klondike region.

Carey is known for his ownership of the controversial Slinky placer mine, also located on the Dome.

In 2012, he and Whitehorse contractor Rod Adams bought 25 claims adjacent to the Slinky Mine.

Their working relationship did not last long. Last year they did not do any work at all because of disagreements over how to mine the properties.

Last month, Yukon Supreme Court Chief Justice Ron Veale ordered the two men to submit sealed bids for the purchase of their jointly owned company. He opened the envelopes in court Thursday morning.

Carey had the highest bid of $752,200, while Adams bid $716,000.

Carey said some friends had come forward with financial loans to help him submit a competitive bid.Earlier in the court process, Carey said he was concerned the process was not fair because he said Adams is wealthier.

Carey has 10 days to finalize his ownership of the claims, which includes giving Adams $376,100 for his half of their company. Adams' original investment in 2012 was $250,000.

Carey saidhe won't be mining the 25 claims in the near future because he's under a deadline to finish working the Slinky Mine.

Under an agreement with the territorial government he has until the end of 2017 to mine the Slinky properties.