How to Recognize Hard Rock Gold Ores

September 2017 by Chris Ralph

I regularly get inquiries along the line of: “Hey, I found this rock, and I think it might be gold ore. How can I tell?” Prospectors are always on the lookout for gold-bearing rocks that may be the source of any nearby placer gold.

The Fire Assay of Carbon

February 2016
Carbon, activated charcoal, or “char,” as some old timers refer to it, can be an assayer’s nightmare.

New Research Tool for Miners in Wyoming

September 2018

The Wyoming Geological Survey released an online interactive map...

How to Interpret Assay Values

January 2018

This assay system of ounces per ton sounds simple enough, but the use of the metric system and the additional measuring terms of “grams per ton” and “parts per million” (ppm) has created some misunderstanding of ore value.

Customizing Your Dredge

January 2013
I am going to suggest dozens of ways you can increase suction power, dredge to greater depths, and improve recovery methods in your sluice box.

Ask the Experts

December 2012
What is the best type of mat to use in a high banker set up?

Finding Gold with a VLF Detector—Part I

April 2014
The very first thing to find out...is if the detector has the ability to be ground balanced.

Detecting Alone -- What to Look For

October 2014
I figure there are a lot of new people out there who have the same question. I will try to give some answers that hopefully will give you more confidence in finding your own spots.

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