Since the shows started, MSHA went from two state inspectors to six. Lotta small time placer miners stopped producing when that happened, or quit hiring and keep their operation one-man or in the family. With MSHA requirements, you have to have the training cert (which your buddy may have, being in the business) but tourists on a mine is a huge liability. The guy who does gold-panning by the pipeline in Fairbanks has a trommel but it’s in the back away from the main operation.
What Rosta says is a good start, or go to Nome to see the historic mining equipment all over. Fairbanks had a mini-museum at Alaska-Land, and may still.