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Old-Time Mining Geology Books
February 2004 by Edgar B. Heylmun, PhD
Geology books are best used by geologists, but many of the old-time books can be understood by most anyone who has an interest in rocks and minerals. Certain words or phrases may stump the layman, but just skip those parts and go on to the portions of the books that are easily understood. Some of the old-time mining geology books should be in every small miner’s collection.Looking Back
Excerpts from California Mining Journal, our original title, published 50 years ago this month.
Highbanking and the House Rock
I hit bedrock at two feet and followed it down as it appeared that I was on the edge of a rib that ran with the river. This was beginning to look very promising and I was seeing some small gold—pieces and flakes—in the header of my sluice box.
California State and US National Gold Panning Championships
This was two days of gold panning, with just over 250 gold panners trying to win a medal to show they were one of the best of the best.
The Bawl Mill
• Lack of privacy
• IRS employess lying about employment status and more
• Creative budgeting...
Prospecting for Gold at Green Valley
In October, five of us decided to take an exploration trip into an area called Green Valley. This was perhaps ten miles upstream from where we had gone in September and the difficulty was access. One would think that based on the name it was an easily accessible area not far from a nearby town. This couldn’t be more wrong.
Picks & Pans: An Exciting Hobby
The year was 1946, the war was over, and we three brothers were working for Douglas Aircraft, in Santa Monica, California. Jim and I had returned to jobs we held before entering the Navy and George was a “new hire,” having just finished a four-year hitch as a Navy Flight Crewman.
Ruling Awards Giant Nugget to Finder
A court ruled that a taxi driver and amateur prospector who unearthed a 14.5-pound (6.6-kg) gold nugget on someone else's land is allowed to keep it.
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The Bawl Mill
• Our Readers Say
• Buying or Investing in Mineral Properties
• The Joy of Prospecting
• Company Notes
• Picks & Pans: Rattlesnakes in a Gold Camp
• Ask the Experts: Recommended Reading—Part I
• The Tangential Impulse Water Wheel in California Gold Mining History—Part I
• Consider Adding Gold to Your Portfolio
• US Files Charges Against Gold Refiner
• Gold in Australia
• Gold in Rotten Rock
• Restoring the Rule of Law to US Mining
• Melman on Gold & Silver
• Mining Stock Quotes and Mineral & Metal Prices
