History & Geology
Heavy Sands Mining
February 2013 by Bill Rich
Lately my mind has been involved with group 4 of the transition elements, namely titanium, zirconium, and hafnium. They all have similar chemical properties. Of greatest interest to economic geologists and miners is that these valuable elements often occur together in sands.Additional articles that might interest you...
The Pearce Mineralized Area, Dragoon Mountains, Arizona
July 2013
...I would bet considerably more lode gold and silver remains to be found in this area, and there are possibilities for small placers and nugget shooting.

All About Garnets
February 2013
I get a lot of questions from prospectors about garnets, their value and what they tell us about the geology of some types of mineral deposits. So I thought it would be a good idea to take a closer look at the lowly garnet and learn a bit more about it.

California: The Land of Big Nuggets—Part I
December 2017
The nugget sat there in plain sight, though it was covered in dirt, while hundreds of people had passed that way every day.
Eastern Arizona: Gold and Base Metal Deposits Part II
March 2011
In this review of precious and base metal deposits in Arizona, it is apparent that several significant mines and mineral deposits occur in eastern Arizona, and there is considerable potential for new discoveries.
In this review of precious and base metal deposits in Arizona, it is apparent that several significant mines and mineral deposits occur in eastern Arizona, and there is considerable potential for new discoveries.
Benches and Fossil Placers
March 2013
Unfortunately for us mortal humans, we have a poor perspective on geologic time. When we look at a landscape such as a stream valley, we see it only in two, or at the most, three dimensions. We have poor comprehension of the valley’s fourth and most important dimension—time.
Unfortunately for us mortal humans, we have a poor perspective on geologic time. When we look at a landscape such as a stream valley, we see it only in two, or at the most, three dimensions. We have poor comprehension of the valley’s fourth and most important dimension—time.
The Bawl Mill
March 2016
• Do as I say, not as I do...
• By the numbers...
• Do as I say, not as I do...
• By the numbers...
Confluence Placers
June 2013
Confluences of placer streams are well known as concentration sites for heavy minerals. The basic reason is that...

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