Prospecting & Detecting
Detecting Nuggets—Overcoming New Challenges
September 2015 by Steve Herschbach
Depth is not an issue unless the site is thoroughly cleaned of shallow trash, and it is far easier to isolate and remove targets using a small coil in a target rich location.
Northwestern Alaska Mineral Resources
Gold and jade are actually only minor mineral resources for the Northwestern Alaska region as a whole. Modern prospecting has focused more on base metal than precious metal resources.
Proper Spacing of Placer Sample Sites
The zone of influence of each sample must be carefully considered when deciding how far sample sites should be spaced from each other.
What's Left Behind
I love to see old-timer workings while I am out detecting for gold. For one thing, it assures me that gold came from there. Second, it tells me gold should almost certainly still be there.
Watch Out for Split Estates When Filing Your Claim
The only thing that saved me was talking to a local miner who gave me a “heads up” that private individuals owned all the mineral rights in that section.
Give That Club Claim A Chance
My first trip to the claim was the tip-off that there might be larger gold to be found. I brought my puffer drywasher and my dad to a local prospecting club outing that was held at the claim.Cold Alaskan Gold—Part II
I decided to focus my attention on some exposed bedrock that was along a little stream only about 100 yards from our cabins. My very first pan full of gravel showed several nice small flakes that were just big enough to be picked up with my fingers. That first pan showed that indeed there was some very nice gold to be had here...
Wild and Scenic River Prospecting—North Fork of the American River
Today it is getting tougher and tougher to find a place to prospect. There is one significant haven left for the small miner...
Subscription Required:
The Bawl Mill
• Legislative and Regulatory Update
• Ask The Experts
• Ask The Experts
• Ask The Experts
• Ask The Experts
• Ask The Experts
• Ask The Experts
• Modern Mining Reclamation
• Retired Geologist Warned Public of Pending EPA Disaster
• Piles of Gold
• AMRA Takes On USFS in Idaho
• Iron Ores and Iron Mining
• Two Men Claim Discovery of Nazi Treasure Train
• Melman on Gold & Silver
• Emergency Dredging Closures in Washington State
• More Gold Recovered Off Florida Coast
• Mining Stock Quotes and Mineral & Metal Prices
Free:
MMAC & PLP Update -- 2015 Minerals and Mining Regulatory Reform Act
