April 2005 (Vol. 74, No. 8) $3.25
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The Bawl Mill
• Flattening Syria like a pancake
• "Did I say that out loud?"
• Flower arrangers wilting in Louisiana
• Be careful what you wish for... -
Our Readers Say
Re: "Miner Wins Important Victory Against Forest Service" (March 2005) -
Progress Report on Washington State Small-Scale Regulations
Washington State has some of the most far-reaching, restrictive and overzealous regulations in the United States regarding small-scale prospecting and mining. Take one look at the “Gold and Fish” book, which lays out regulations for... -
Legislative and Regulatory Update
• ANWR through Senate
• Several proposed bills up for comment
• Okay, there is one good bill -
Pediments
A pediment is a broad, gently sloping erosion surface or plain of low relief that is often found in arid and semi-arid regions at the base of a receding mountain front. The example shown is from the Palo Verde Ranch 15-minute topographic quadrangle, southwest of Tucson, Arizona. This is one of the best examples the writer has ever seen. -
Bill to Allow Mining of Coeur d'Alene Basin
A state House committee supported legislation sponsored by Rep. Dick Harwood that would allow state mining leases for tailings and dumps, which Idaho law currently prohibits. -
Dredging Below the Homestake
What better place to dredge for gold in the early 1970s than downhill from the largest gold mine in the US? Gold prices were rising, and it was a good time and place to shop for a prospect. -
Looking Back
Excerpts from CMJ published 50 years ago this month. -
Picks & Pans: The Glory Hole
I started the New Year of 1998 with great anticipation of finding that elusive vein of gold. Twice a year I planned my vacation carefully, not to miss the Fourth of July and Labor Day weekend. I wanted to be smack in the heart of the Downieville gold field. -
Enthusiastic Crowds at PDAC
Nearly 11,000 attended this year’s Prospector and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) convention in Toronto. Joe Hamilton, president of the Convention Planning Committee, beleived he knew why the numbers were so high. -
Fraser Institute Survey Results Rank Best (and Worst) Mining Locales
British Columbia made the biggest jump towards improvement in terms of regulations in the Fraser Institute Annual Survey of Mining Companies. BC, historically relegated to the bottom 10 locations to mine in the survey’s Policy Potential Index, benefited from a change in administration. Three years ago it was dead last. -
Synclinal Oil
Most oilfields are found in anticlinal faults, or stratigraphic traps. Oil floats on water, so that it will rise to the highest point possible, above the water. If the porous or fractured sandstone or limestone that contains the oil is overlain by impervious shale, the oil can no longer rise. If the porous bed is arched upward... -
Small-Scale Prospecting & Mining (A Little History)
During the 49’er gold rush, because of harsh winters and adverse river conditions, the working season could be restricted for a week or more at a time. Moreover, many of the “argonauts” (a term dating back to the adventures of the early Greek gold seekers in seeking the Golden Fleece), were unprepared both mentally and physically to meet the harsh conditions. -
Higher Zinc Price Creates Opportunity
Zinc is brittle and crystalline at ordinary temperatures, but when heated to between 110°C and 150°C it becomes ductile and malleable; it can then be rolled into sheets. The bluish-white metal is used principally for galvanizing iron, but also... -
Government Appeals Miner Injury Case to Supreme Court
The Supreme Court said it will consider whether two miners may sue federal officials for personal injuries following a roof collapse at a copper mine that left them paralyzed. -
Melman on Gold & Silver
The entire petroleum complex has once again taken center stage in the world’s financial markets as prices for crude surged to near all-time highs at $55 per barrel and associated products such as heating oil and unleaded gasoline (see chart analysis below) soared through previous peaks. What made these new rallies so remarkable...