Small Mining Operations
From Curiosity to Mine Owner - Pt II
October 2015 by Scott Harn
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When we last heard from Ernie, he was still in Honduras and we were anxiously waiting to hear how the set up and training went at the mine. It got a bit complicated after that.
PLP and MMAC Update
All About Hard Rock Drills
There are three basic power sources for rock drills—electricity, gasoline and compressed air. Before we go into big pneumatic drills, we’ll start with a quick rundown of each.
Lode or Placer: What Difference Does It Make?
This explains the large difference in particle sizes between placers and hydrothermal lode deposits, but also means that while the mining may be similar in some cases, the sampling and recovery techniques are usually quite different.
Specialized Equipment Available for Hire
Since we’ve already covered the basics of permitting a “Notice Level” mining operation, it’s time to talk actual mining.
The Subsurface Suction Dredge
The problems of the submersible dredge tube are addressed by the subsurface dredge, where the enclosed sluice recovery tube is suspended from a flotation assembly...
The Fire Assay of Carbon
Carbon, activated charcoal, or “char,” as some old timers refer to it, can be an assayer’s nightmare.
Libby, Montana Prospectors Keep Tradition Alive
Located 23 miles south of Libby, the land surrounding the Libby Creek area has been of interest to prospectors since the early 1860s, when it was home to up to 600 miners working at a camp known as Libbysville.
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The Bawl Mill
• Legislative and Regulatory Update
• Ask The Experts
• The Bucking Room
• A Long Dry Spell
• Prospectors Protest San Gabriel Mountains National Monument
• MMAC & PLP Update
• Where Should I Start?
• California State Gold Panning Championships
• 2016 Gold Prospecting and Mining Summit
• Growing Up Gold
• Rock and Formations of the Mother Lode Gold Belt
• 2015 World Gold Panning Championships
• Melman on Gold & Silver
• Mining Stock Quotes and Mineral & Metal Prices
