Billions in gold said hidden in Wenatchee hills

WENATCHEE -- A Canadian company claims the hills near Wenatchee are harboring billions of dollars worth of gold.

"It's down a mile deep, it's in a vein, the Lubbock vein and we all know it's there," said local salesman Don Talbot.

As a matter of matter, one million ounces of gold was mined in these mountains from 1954 to 1994. Then the mines closed.

There's a lot left, but back then it was worth only $400 a ounce. A Canadian company says with gold at $1,700 an ounce, it may be time to move back. They'll start drilling test holes this month in the area Donna Deterineg now walks:

"The bottom line would be the ecology and the money, who's going to make it and how much of it would stay here," she said.

But what happens when a company applies for permits in December?

"I think everyone's got a little gold bug in them I think everyone wants to test their luck," said Gabriel Rodriguez. "I may give it a whack this spring, sure."

The rush might already be on. A basic metal detector costs about $150. A top of the line model is $700. And Talbot says his store has already sold about 50-60 of them in a two-week period.

In fact, they sold so many metal detectors, pans, vials and sluices they moved the display from the back to the front of the store.

If you do go, keep this in mind: There are claims on the land, you'll have to look in the rivers.

If the company does eventually find large deposits of gold, they are considering building a $100 million project they claim will be "as busy as a major airport."

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