Ask The Experts: How do I identify gold in hard rock that may be mixed with other metals?

September 2016 by Chris Ralph

Q: Aside from the softness scratch test and other methods of identification, what feedback would you have on identifying gold in hard rock that may be mixed with other metals that affect its color?

Detecting Alone -- What to Look For

October 2014
I figure there are a lot of new people out there who have the same question. I will try to give some answers that hopefully will give you more confidence in finding your own spots.

Proper Spacing of Placer Sample Sites

September 2013
The zone of influence of each sample must be carefully considered when deciding how far sample sites should be spaced from each other.

Refractory Gold Processing

February 2013
After your excitement peaks when you first receive the high gold assay from the vein you just exposed, you ponder how you will extract and sell your gold. You will need to develop a flow sheet for your process to optimize your recovery and minimize your costs and permit requirements.

Ask the Experts

November 2012
How do I set up a small placer operation?

A Few Tips and Tricks for Beach Mining

June 2015
When you think about the extremes to which a miner will go to get a little gold, it occurred to me beach gold could be "easy pickings."

Understanding Skim Bar Placers

September 2018

Perhaps the most notable thing about skim placers is that they form on the top surface of gravel bars, as opposed to coarser gold placers where the weight of the gold particles allows the gold to settle down on or near bedrock.

Fine Gold Panning Without Using Mercury

March 2012
The technique I will describe is a much safer alternative and it works. It’s a fine-gold panning technique that eliminates the need for mercury amalgamation of most placer samples.

Subscription Required:
The Bawl Mill   • Our Readers Say   • Ask The Experts: Is there a safe DIY alternative to cyanide or mercury for extraction?   • Ask The Experts: Should I take my claim access problems to the Desert Advisory Council?   • Ask The Experts   • Ask The Experts   • Legislative and Regulatory Update   • Pickers and Nuggets   • Modern-Day Claim Jumping   • Oregon's Waldo and Galice Mining Districts Unite   • Attention to Detail - Part II   • The Seven Troughs Mining District   • CA Supreme Court Rules Against Rinehart - But There Is A Solution   • Summertime Gold Panning   • Melman on Gold & Silver   • Mining Stock Quotes and Mineral & Metal Prices

Free:
MMAC & PLP Update