Gold and Silver Deposits of Bodie, California

November 2019 by Alex Dolbeare

Bodie, California, in its heyday, was once rumored to be one of the roughest and most lawless towns in the American West.

The Wisdom of Mark Twain—And Tales of Cheating the Unwary Prospector

June 2012
I (enjoy) Twain’s description of a gold mine, “A hole in the ground with a liar at the top.” Some humor here? You bet, but I’m sure he meant it to be a real eye opener as well.

Fabulous Florence—The Golden Town of Idaho

May 2012
In September 1861, on a round-about prospecting journey homeward, five California gold miners discovered gold in the area now called Florence. While watering the horses, one of the men noticed a golden color on a piece of slate bedrock in the stream...

Gold Deposition and Gradients of Placer Streams—Part I

June 2012
When placer miners from the gold rush era began experimenting with the slope of their sluices, they must have pondered the ideal slope for trapping gold in a creek bed too. Logic suggests the same is true for streams...

The Many Facets of Iron

March 2013
I’ve been fascinated by iron minerals for many years. So let’s take a look at this very interesting and colorful element.

Rare Silver Nuggets And Their Origins

March 2018

Silver nuggets have been described as “ultra-rare,” “prized” and “unique.” Naturally occurring silver nuggets are rare enough to suggest caution when purchasing. Fakes have reportedly been produced and misrepresented for sale as genuine specimens.

ICMJ Visits Colfax, California

February 2023

Strategic Metals—Part I

November 2013
A bill was introduced and passed by the House of Representatives earlier this year that should make the exploration and opening of a mining operation faster and easier.

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