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June 2008 by Staff
• Table of Weights and Measures on ICMJ website• More on presidential candidate Ron Paul
The Business of Mining: Financial Recoveries for Mandated Changes
True independence is rare among prospectors and miners. There is always someone or some agency that is telling the small-scale miner or prospector how to operate or requiring changes in their operations.
San Diego County Tourmaline
San Diego County, California, has long been considered the finest source of pink tourmaline in the world. The Pala, Mesa Grande, Rincon, and Ramona districts in the northern portion of the county have produced tourmaline, kunzite, and other gems in great quantities, much of it jewelry and museum-quality specimens.
ICMJ's 12th Annual Photo Contest Results
The Elusive Mother Lode

River Dredging vs. Creek Dredging—Part II
While river dredging in fast water, don’t be afraid of being swept out of your dredge hole by the current. If this happens—and it most certainly will in fast water—there is no need to panic. Don’t try to swim against the current because you will waste much energy in an effort to conquer the river. Just let it take you downstream.
Throw-Away Gold: Back to Basics
Placer mining, whether for profit or recreational purposes, involves separation of free gold from the gold-bearing sands (gangue) of alluvial deposits by methods using specific gravity. The free gold can vary from 17 to 19.3 in specific gravity terms, depending on the alloy mix, which is usually silver, but can be copper, lead, sulfur, tellurium, antimony, or mercury.
Hecla Fights Bad Actor Label in Montana
Environmental groups last year urged Montana regulators to impose the bad actor designation, and now are seeking to intervene in the case.
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The Bawl Mill
• Platinum Alley—The South American Zone of Wealth and Adventure
• Choosing The Right Detector Coil
• Washington Gold Miners Receive Ecology Award
• Internet Scams
• Becoming A Nozzle Master
• Slug Gulch
• Gold Deposits of Georgia
• Mining the Old-Timers
• Prospecting Adventures—Pure Gold
• Legislation Would Require Palladium Coin
• Record Gold Prices Prompt Gold Mining In Boulder
• Melman on Gold & Silver
• Mining Stock Quotes and Mineral & Metal Prices
• Looking Back