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?

Placer Channel Sampling

July 2013
Sampling gold placers can be rewarding, but remember to treat the samples so you are not high grading or low grading your results. Learn the rules and apply them so your samples are accurate.

Exploring Placers with Auger Drills

June 2014
Augers can be used effectively for placer exploration with certain limitations.

The Snapshot

November 2015
Once all the numbers from all the samples and water tests are compiled, a snapshot of the performance of each tank in the process circuit can be seen side-by-side.

Ask The Experts

January 2016
Viewing details on Google Earth

The Fine Art of Panning Heavy Sands

October 2011
The fine art of panning heavy sands requires a measure of patience. If you enjoy panning gold, you ought to enjoy this too, once you get the hang of it.

Using Sucker Guns to Find Gold

November 2013
...if you have a good, rich spot, hand-operated systems can produce some decent gold.

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.

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