History & Geology
Gangue Minerals - What Do They Tell Us?
January 2017 by Chris Ralph
There are a large number of different kinds of gangue minerals, and each of them has its own tale to contribute to the story of the chemistry and geology of a deposit.
Green Valley Gold District, Payson, Arizona
Most gold-bearing quartz veins found in the district were fracture fillings in faults enclosed by crushed quartz zones along their margins. Since the host rocks were often extensively weathered, portions of the veins stood out as positive, resistant outcrops. The gold-bearing veins ranged from a few inches wide to the vein at the Gowan mine that was as much as 12 feet wide. The Pearce Mineralized Area, Dragoon Mountains, Arizona—Part II
There are many prospects within the known mineralized area and along the margins of the mineralized area that should be examined for gold and silver.
The Rush to Treasure Hill
There were some exceptional times in the far-flung history of the West. Rich finds of minerals that set men’s souls ablaze. From the rich gold fields of California, men who arrived too late to find riches went searching in every direction. The trail that we will follow leads east, past the shining silver district of the Comstock Lode.
Placer Mining At Chititu Creek, Alaska
There is reason to believe these stream valleys are still rich with gold, silver and copper.
The Tombstone Silver-Lead District, Arizona
In 1877, a prospector named Ed Schieffelin discovered silver in “the middle of nowhere” and staked two claims: “Tumbstone” and “Graveyard.” Soon a town and mining district were organized and acquired the name “Tombstone” after making a spelling correction.
Gold in The Silver Crown District, Wyoming
When my field assistant Jay Roberts and I entered the mine, it appeared as if someone just walked out of the mine, turned off the lights and never returned.
The Miner’s Switchback
Common thought is the switchback slows the velocity of the rushing water and gold drops out from the cut bank to a fill gravel bar within or below the switchback. I am not going to disregard that model; however, I hope to improve upon it.
Subscription Required:
The Bawl Mill
• Ask The Experts: Could you expand on your previous blasting article?
• Ask The Experts: Equipment to break up heavy clay
• Ask The Experts: “Energy” coming from black sand?
• Ask The Experts: Assay problem or recovery problem?
• Legislative and Regulatory Update
• Detecting Strategies for Heavily Forested Areas—Part II
• The Winning Hand
• Early Winter Detecting in the Sierras
• Mining Districts in Montana Get Organized
• Feds Deny Lease Renewals for Minnesota Mine
• Obama Administration Moves to Block Mining Near Yellowstone
• The Perfect Response
• MMAC Update
• Mining Stock Quotes and Mineral & Metal Prices
• Melman on Gold & Silver
Free:
That First Nugget
