How Long Does It Take to Find and Recover An Ounce of Gold?

June 2019 by Chris Ralph

Some ask if a prospector can collect an entire ounce in a day. It is possible; I’ve done it before.

Looking for that Hidden Placer

March 2013
I detect in a wide array of situations. I like to search for places that no one has been to. I really like to find areas that have never been worked at all.

Following Clues to an Old Mill and Vein Strike

August 2012
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.

The Bucking Room

October 2015
Since this position was the least desirable due to the hard physical labor, the bucking room was used as punishment. Do you have a mediocre worker? Bad attitude? Off to the bucking room!

How To File A Mining Claim

April 2019

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.

Prospecting and Mining Old Mine Sites

December 2016
In some places valuable ores can be found within the waste material of mine dumps, sorted ore piles, and detrital vein matter at the surface. Though many of these old mine sites can be an excellent source of gold, not all are created equal.

A New Prospecting Spot

October 2016
Once indicators start showing up along or below a contact I start to get excited. When I have shale, and outcroppings of diorite with iron-red, gritty soil and some clay thrown in, I really get lightheaded. I may be a mile away from the nearest diggings but that’s okay. I just found a spot that could provide some nice nugget hunting.

Fine Gold Panning Without Using Mercury

March 2012
The technique I will describe is a much safer alternative and it works. It’s a fine-gold panning technique that eliminates the need for mercury amalgamation of most placer samples.

Subscription Required:
June 2019 (Vol. 88, No. 10)   • The Bawl Mill   • Legislative and Regulatory Update   • Ask The Experts - Can you provide information on gold in Ghana?   • Ask The Experts - Geophysics and gold deposits   • Ask The Experts - Do these items qualify as mechanized equipment?   • Ask The Experts - EPA Method 6020 testing   • Ask The Experts - New detector or stick with the old?   • The Value of Old Patches   • A 'Rare' Opportunity for America   • Tips for Cleaning Gold Nuggets   • Gold Prospecting for Better or Worse: In A Tight Spot   • Detecting Wet Ground Yields More Fun Than Gold   • Over The Divide: Jim Straight, 1930-2019   • Beach Mining for Placer Gold   • Reno's 1872 Time Capsule Includes Gold Rush Lore   • Melman on Gold & Silver   • Mining Stock Quotes and Mineral & Metal Prices

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PLP Update   • Comments Needed On Pebble Project Draft EIS