History & Geology
Researching Mineralized Areas
December 2015 by Chris Ralph
There are a load of ways to do research, and I’m going to talk about how I do it—maybe you’ll get some ideas that will work for you, too.Ask The Experts
Gold in clastic black shale
Enrichment of Mineral Deposits by Weathering—Part I
The exact minerals formed in the concentrated supergene deposits depends much on the type of country rock around the deposit and the chemistry of the deposit itself, but if conditions are right, this process will form some rich patches of bonanza ore, in some places valued at thousands of dollars to the ton.Prospecting for Nickel Deposits
The periodic exploration efforts for nickel during periods of high prices have been sporadic and incomplete. There is a role for the prospector and geologist in searching laterites potentially rich in nickel and mafic igneous bodies that may be rich in nickel.
Perception of Mining vs. Reality
Many modern mining companies have taken to making a special effort to ensure the goods and services they need are supplied as much as possible out of the local economy.Green Valley Gold District, Payson, Arizona
Most gold-bearing quartz veins found in the district were fracture fillings in faults enclosed by crushed quartz zones along their margins. Since the host rocks were often extensively weathered, portions of the veins stood out as positive, resistant outcrops. The gold-bearing veins ranged from a few inches wide to the vein at the Gowan mine that was as much as 12 feet wide. Epithermal Gold and Silver Deposits
Epithermal deposits form in the ground at shallow depths. They are popular with prospectors because can yield very rich deposits and they are widespread in the Western US.
Kennecott Copper Mine, Kennecott, Alaska
For approximately 30 years, the mines produced good ore, some so rich it was simply sent straight to bagging, bypassing milling and loaded directly on the rail cars.
Subscription Required:
The Bawl Mill
• Our Readers Say
• Ask The Experts
• SB 838 and the Salem Witch Hunt
• Small-Scale Hard Rock Production
• MMAC & PLP Update
• VLF Detector Operating Modes
• Using Geologic Maps
• Canadian Company Recovers 1,111-Carat Diamond
• Lost Sally's Gold
• Time to File Claims in Southern California
• Colorado Disputes Key Part of EPA Mine Report
• Picking Our Way Through Bedrock
• Mining Stock Quotes and Mineral & Metal Prices
• Melman on Gold & Silver
Free:
Legislative and Regulatory Update
• What Is Incidental Fallback?
