Ask the Experts

August 2013 by Chris Ralph

Sierra County Gold—Part II

January 2014
...we will continue our examination of the rich streams and mining districts, and then take a look at some of the big nuggets that have been found here.

4 Keys to Successful Nugget Hunting

February 2012
Lots of prospectors are trying out nugget detecting for the first time and finding out that it isn’t all that easy. In fact, in my opinion, metal detecting for nuggets is perhaps the most difficult form of prospecting that one can take on.

Procuring Mine Owner Permission at a Mine Site

October 2017

The first experience involved an overgrown gold mine operated during the 1880s. A razed mill adjoined the mine and could be glimpsed from the isolated public dirt road I was traveling.

Fortymile, Alaska Prospecting Adventure

August 2013
Some creeks have nuggets, while others, particulary the rivers, nothing but fine gold.

Hundreds Rally in Support of PLP Octoberfest Fundraiser

December 2014
...more folks rolled in on Saturday morning and many were eager to venture out onto the Sleepy Bear property—all 415 acres—and try their luck at finding some gold.

California State Panning Championships—Foresthill, CA Heritage Celebration

October 2013
Here's the kicker—for every lost flake there was a five minute penalty added to the time. Lost gold generally meant you didn't make it past the preliminaries.

12-Year-Old Unearths Large Diamond

September 2013
It is the eighth largest brown diamond to be found and certified by park staff.

Subscription Required:
The Bawl Mill   • Ask the Experts   • Ask the Experts   • Ask the Experts   • Common Mistakes of the New Detectorist   • The Pearce Mineralized Area, Dragoon Mountains, Arizona—Part II   • Mining for Gemstones and Mineral Specimens   • Fighting and Winning Without a Lawyer   • The Essentials of Dry Washing   • Fortymile, Alaska Prospecting Adventure   • Court Says Emergency Rule in California Unjustified   • Sampling Placer Stockpiles   • Lower Prices Bring Layoffs   • Prospecting Research   • Buyer Beware! Counterfeit Metal Detectors   • Melman on Gold & Silver   • Mining Stock Quotes and Mineral & Metal Prices   • Underground in the Original 16-1 Mine

Free:
Legislative and Regulatory Update   • Annual Claim Fees Due September 3, 2013