Promotional film. Mining in the Yukon, yesterday and today, and the importance of the White Pass and Yukon Railway as a transportation system. Shows the development and start-up of the Anvil Mine, a lead-zinc mine on the Ross River; its impact on the port of Skagway and the upgrading of transport infrastructure. The first shipment of ore travels by truck to Whitehorse, by rail to Skagway, and by ship to world markets.

The item is a video copy of a promotional film. It depicts mines and mineral resources in the North -- Alaska, Yukon Territory, Northwest Territories and northern B.C. -- and the role played by the White Pass and Yukon Route. The White Pass container ship "Frank M. Brown" leaves Vancouver and sails to Skagway, where its cargo is unloaded through modern technology. The freight is shipped by rail to Whitehorse, where it is transferred to trucks for transport to various mining operations. Mining of asbestos (Cassiar), copper (Whitehorse), silver-lead-zinc (Mayo), tungsten and lead (Ross River), and iron (Snake River). White Pass's involvement: efficient tranportation, integrated equipment, and increased freight tonnages.

The collection consists of records generated by Donald (interviewer) and Glen Treilhard (photographer) during their oral history project in 1983. Both were post-secondary students at the time and received grants from the Canada Council and the Royal Canadian Geographic Society. The Treilhards interviewed and photographed 39 Canadian miners in British Columbia, Yukon and the Northwest Territories. The collection includes 60 audio cassette tapes of interviews with the miners, a duo tang with project details, an index, an itinerary and interviewee list, photo and tape release forms from the interviewees and transcripts of the interviews. Audio tapes are arranged by geographical location and by date. There is also a small notebook listing the slides which are itemized by geographical location, roll number, slide number and subject. There are approximately 820 colour slides of the interviewees, their places of work and scenic views of the geographical regions through which the Treilhards travelled. There appear to be some slides listed in the index that are not in the slide binders, as well as some slides that are in the binders and that are not listed in the index. There is also a list stapled to the inside cover of the small notebook indicating which slides the Treilhards used in their project.

The item is a reel of industrial film. It depicts mineral prospecting by helicopter in the northwest corner of British Columbia and the southern Yukon. The film begins at Atlin, BC, and proceeds south to Tulsequah and north to Whitehorse, Yukon. Mostly aerial views of terrain and wildlife, as well as ground level shots of mines, etc. Footage of the sternwheeler "Whitehorse". Discussion of the Alaska Highway's importance in providing access to natural resources.