Prospecting & Detecting
A Short But Productive Hunt
June 2022 by Ray Mills
The prospects I found are known to carry heavy chunks of gold, sometimes in quartz, ironstone, or many times a rusty-looking type of shale covering.
The Joys of Desert Prospecting
…since many miners have wandered these hills over the years, you have to sometimes be a little more creative and unconventional in your methods to hopefully find new deposits.
Underwater Reclamation
Working underwater certainly has its challenges, but since I wanted to learn how to blast underwater, I just needed to dive in headfirst and take charge of the operation.
Potholes and Other Bedrock Traps
Potholes in bedrock can trap placer minerals and even be glory holes. They are, at least, interesting geologic phenomena, and at best, a treasure trove of gold nuggets.
How to Use BLM’s New Mineral and Land Records System
This new map-based tool is far superior to the old version with lots of potential layers and information that a prospector can use in research.
Dry Washer, Wet System or Metal Detector?
I love to dry wash old nugget patches found by detector operators, and I have found my fair share of gold dry washing those areas. I have also found a few nuggets using a detector on the bedrock exposed by dry washing the patches.
Customizing Your Dredge
I am going to suggest dozens of ways you can increase suction power, dredge to greater depths, and improve recovery methods in your sluice box.
21st Century American Gold Rush: Rare Earth Elements
The burning question I needed answered was why didn’t the deposit ever get mined of at least one of the valuable minerals? A couple of reasons have come to light.
Subscription Required:
The Bawl Mill
• Why The Paper Change?
• Ask The Experts - When do I use detector discrimination?
• Ask The Experts - Is gold found in limestone?
• Ask The Experts - Can pyrite crystals be the same color as gold?
• How to Use BLM’s New Mineral and Land Records System
• Blast from the Past: Jeff Casserly Tells His Own Story
• Old Dog(Fighter), New Trick
• Talking Metal Detectors with Brent Weaver of Garrett
• Strategies for Detecting Heavily Pounded Areas—Part III
• EPA Recommends Against Reissuing Permit for PolyMet Mine
• The Highs and Hazards of Desert Prospecting
• Just Feel The Heft of It
• Proposed Nebraska Mine Has Sizeable Deposit of Rare Elements
• Mining Stock Quotes and Mineral & Metal Prices
• Melman on Gold & Silver
Free:
Introducing ICMJ’s New Owners: Josh and Sherrie Reinke
• Legislative and Regulatory Update
• PLP Update
