Prospecting & Detecting
Gully Prospecting and Mining
September 2014 by Don Robinson
This article is about our recent gold prospecting adventure, which has yielded over 20 ounces of specimen gold—with more to come.
Old Patch, New Detector
I have been detecting the area on and off since I discovered it. Every time I bought a new detector it was the first place I went to.
Detectors Versus Pans
Mike scored the best with a total of one-half ounce of gold nuggets. Tom, Brian and Greg each had pieces in the one and a half pennyweight range. The rest of us had small gold and nothing like these three.
Tyrie's Roadway Nugget
I will have to admit, I actually was brought to tears just thinking about what I had just done. I knew the gold was there, but I never thought I would be so fortunate to find such a prize nugget.
Following Clues to an Old Mill and Vein Strike
My last update on this adventure was in the April 2012 issue and involved our search for the northern extension of the Cedarberg Mine. At that time we had found it and we were in the process of returning for some detecting when Mother Nature struck with a late rain and snow storm.
Finding Streams of Gold
Without knowing or even thinking about it, I had put together a map that showed me a pattern of the ancient Sacramento River channel. I also had a distinct picture of where the ancient channels of several other creeks and rivers were running.
My Lucky Thirteen Nuggets
Even with my favorite top-of-the-line gold detector there were several false digs. Many of the hot rocks gave a solid signal that was too much like a nugget to ignore. After trying several tests I just dug everything because it is better to be safe than leave a big, deep nugget for a more diligent gold hunter.
How To File A Mining Claim
Filing claims is actually quite easy, though there are a number of pitfalls that you should watch out for. Over the years, I have made just about every mistake you can with a mining claim, and have learned a few things to watch out for along the way.
Subscription Required:
The Bawl Mill
• Ask the Experts
• Ask the Experts
• Taking on the EPA, Sasquatch, Ratchilla and Gold Dredging
• Wilfley Tables—Repair, Rebuild & Set Up
• Designing and Evaluating Placer Gold Recovery Plants
• Finding Streams of Gold
• This is Why You Check Your Tailings
• Lode or Placer: What Difference Does It Make?
• New Rules to Impact the Lease/Buy Decision
• There's a First Time for Everyone
• Appeals Court OKs Permits for Upper Peninsula Mine
• Melman on Gold & Silver
• Mining Stock Quotes and Mineral & Metal Prices
Free:
Legislative and Regulatory Update
• Mining Journal Honored as Prospecting Magazine of the Year!
