Subsea Gold Mining Alaska The Problem There is a second Gold Rush underway in the waters off Nome, Alaska in the Bering Sea. Since gold was discovered there in 1898, approximately 4.5 million ounces have been mined on-shore. Nov 13, 2016 Gold Rush History of Nome, Alaska. Nome is a fascinating little town in western Alaska. It started out as a mining town when gold was discovered in the sands along the beach back in 1898. Nome is still a mining town, with a population that grows to several thousand people in the summer. Mining History of Nome, Alaska . Within one year there ... The GPAA sponsors a trip to Nome, Alaska each year for 6 weeks and is available to current members of the Gold Prospectors organization. The gold is plentiful on the beach although quite fine and the scenery is gorgeous of course. Other gold prospecting overnight outings in the Motherlode of California are also available each year.