Ask The Experts: Is there a safe DIY alternative to cyanide or mercury for extraction?

September 2016 by Chris Ralph

Q: With safety as a given, what can the average miner, or Joe-blow greenhorn do to identify and extract some metals or minerals with off-the-shelf products or natural ingredients?

How To File A Mining Claim

April 2019

Filing claims is actually quite easy, though there are a number of pitfalls that you should watch out for. Over the years, I have made just about every mistake you can with a mining claim, and have learned a few things to watch out for along the way.

Making A Big Discovery

January 2019

We sent them a lot of information, including my presentation about the area and its potential. We were excited to learn a couple weeks later that the company was interested in the property.

The Fire Assay of Carbon

February 2016
Carbon, activated charcoal, or “char,” as some old timers refer to it, can be an assayer’s nightmare.

Ask The Experts

September 2015
What are the steps for filing a mining claim?

A Few Pointers About Cracks and Crevices

October 2013
Because these crevices catch and hold gold so well, it's worthwhile to learn how they form, which ones are good for catching gold and which ones are not.

The Essence of Gold Prospecting

July 2016
When doing your initial armchair research and selecting potential areas to explore, consider all the indicators, both natural and man-made.

Crushing Quartz in Calaveras County: A Placer Miner Learns New Tricks

June 2014
I had never run an impact mill before, but anything involving rocks, water and a big electric motor sounded great.

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