April 2007 (Vol. 76, No.8) $3.75
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The Bawl Mill
• It’s time for a change
• No such thing as a free lunch
• Cold weather interrupts global warming expedition -
Ask the Experts—How do I remove gold from black sands?
Q: I’m a fairly new dredger. I was told that the black sands contain fine gold that is tough to see and recover, so I have been saving the black sands when I do my clean up. What method should I use to get the gold out? -
Ask the Experts—How did the bill to address RS 2477 pan out?
Q: In the November 2006 issue, you published an article “Bill to address RS 2477” regarding rights-of-way across public lands (HR 6298, introduced by Representative Steven Pearce of New Mexico). Will you please provide me with some information about how this panned out? -
Ask the Experts—How can I separate gold from carbon?
Q: [I have] fine gold in activated coconut shell carbon after treatment with a battery charger, battery and salt, from my deep wells. In the furnace, the carbon does not burn away to free the gold, but mixes worse than ever... -
Legislative and Regulatory Update
• Comments needed
• California tries another route to restrict miners and dredgers -
Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (P.L. 90-542, as Amended)
Just about all of us have heard the term “Wild and Scenic Rivers,” and we’ve likely been on one or several of them in our prospecting ventures. More than once someone has said to me “...but that’s a wild and scenic river.” My first question has always been, “What part of the system is it? Is it classified wild, scenic or recreational?” -
Platinum Placers and Nuggets
Sometimes a placer miner will find small bits and nuggets of metal associated with gold and other heavy minerals in his concentrates, which exhibits a silver-gray color rather than the normal tones of gold. -
In Pursuit of Gold & Silver in the Sierra Madres—The Tejeda Mines
One of our claims, “concessions” in Spanish, lies atop a mountain approximately 15 miles Southwest of our Pueblo. It is reached by a dirt track that starts in Arivechi. We leave the Pueblo and drive up... -
The Business of Mining—Family Mining Business Tax Savings
There has been much said and written about nepotism, especially in government and business. There is, however, no written rule that would prevent any miner or prospector from hiring a spouse, children or other family members in the prospecting, mining or dredging business. There may even be tax advantages associated with that nepotism. -
Successful Nugget Hunting
Then it appeared. A 64-inch rack on the giant moose silhouetted against the sun. Bernie had waited for the large creature to come out into the open. He raised his bolt action Remington .338, took aim, and pulled the trigger. -
Oregon Miners Update
The Siskiyou Regional Education Project (SREP) v. Siskiyou National Forest case over the requirement for plans of operation for suction dredge mining is now in the hands of the US Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. -
The Prevleator
Most developmental ideas grow from the reluctance of some individual to participate in hard work, so I can only say that I must think better in a reclining position. -
Mining Boom Is Back In Northern Nevada
At the Gold Quarry open-pit mine, a massive electric shovel scoops 40 tons of earth in a single bite and dumps it into a 325,000-pound truck the size of a two-story house. -
Lease Issued For Potential Mine Near Mount St. Helens
A hardrock minerals lease and environmental assessment issued recently give Idaho General Mines the right to apply to explore property near 5,400-foot Goat Mountain, north and east of the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument. -
Looking Back
Excerpts from California Mining Journal, our original title, published 50 years ago this month. -
Melman on Gold & Silver
Keeping track of the news during the past month was like watching the later rounds of a boxing match, the part where the light jabs and the “feeling out” of the opponent were passed and the heavy hitting begins, because last month we were hit with several powerful stories affecting our markets.