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Gondwana Gold and Diamonds
October 2002 by Edgar B. Heylmun, PhD
Some 250 million years ago, the Earth had just one supercontinent, known as “Pangaea.” For whatever reason, the supercontinent began to break apart. South America and Africa remained joined, as “Gondwana,” until 65 million years ago, when they split apart. The obvious “fit” of South America with Africa was noted by geologists back in the 19th century, but it was not until Alfred Wegener came out with his “continental drift” hypothesis in 1912 that people took note.The History of Gold Mining in Sierra County
There may be some truth to some of the fantastic claims. The Ruby Drift Mine near Forest City is where 159 nuggets were taken out between 1937 and 1942—a total of about 1,000 ounces with an estimated value of $1.5 million when gold was...
The Big Gold Strike
Jack had been taking a break while Roy was dredging and it was time for Jack to take over. He grabbed his hookah and weight belt, slipped underwater and headed for Roy’s location.
Melman on Gold & Silver
This past month has been filled with headline-grabbing news events and, for a change, it was not only politics that dominated those news stories, but rather financial markets themselves, with gold and mining shares grabbing a major share of attention.
Dredging Below the Homestake
What better place to dredge for gold in the early 1970s than downhill from the largest gold mine in the US? Gold prices were rising, and it was a good time and place to shop for a prospect.
Dredging the Mokelumne
Gold mining adventures can begin in the most unusual fashion. This one started when the high water receding in May of 1999 disclosed that a tragedy had occurred somewhere upstream of Slaughterhouse Gulch on the north fork of the...
Legislative and Regulatory Update
• BLM proposes another fee increase
• Old Roadless Rule blocked
• County attempt to regulate leaching thwarted
• Canyon fights on
• New wilderness passes Senate; faces uphill battle in House
The Bawl Mill
• And the award goes to...
• How about a cold one?
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• Our Readers Say
• Placer Gold in Idaho
• Working the Belmont Mine Butte, Montana—1953
• Simple Sluice Design
• Cobalt and Nickel in Missouri
• Sunshine Mine Video Brings Back Painful Memories
• Hardrock Detecting
• Gold Garbage: Scams New & Old
• Company Notes
• Picks & Pans: Confessions of a Professional Nuggetshooter
• Looking Back
• Ghost Towns of Washington County, Utah
• The Fire Within
• 2002 California State Gold Panning Championships—Foresthill, California
• Mining Stock Quotes and Mineral & Metal Prices
• Melman on Gold & Silver
