All Articles
Sam, the Tenderfoot Prospector
November 2005 by Chris Ralph
There were many thousands of tenderfoot, greenhorn prospectors that came out west in the 1860s and 70s. Some came to make their fortunes; some came to flee other problems back east; and some just came for the adventure. Probably every one had a tale to tell, but one of these adventurous individuals was a young man named Sam, and this is his true story.Additional articles that might interest you...
Why Did This Silver Mine Close? Pt II
November 2014
During the mid-1800s until about 1920, the settlers of the West tended to be quite optimistic, but in reality they flew with a wing and a prayer.
During the mid-1800s until about 1920, the settlers of the West tended to be quite optimistic, but in reality they flew with a wing and a prayer.
Prospecting for Hardrock Gold - "Eureka!" (Part III)
May 2010
A quartz piece was rolled over and there it was, staring right at us—beautiful, coarse gold coming right out of the quartz rock. It was almost the size of a softball, and it looked like over one quarter of it had gold throughout!
A quartz piece was rolled over and there it was, staring right at us—beautiful, coarse gold coming right out of the quartz rock. It was almost the size of a softball, and it looked like over one quarter of it had gold throughout!
BLM Warning About Purchase of Mining Claims on the Internet
November 2004
In a dramatic reversal of policy the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has posted the following on the huge internet auction house, eBay. Mining claims are currently being offered on eBay with prices ranging into the millions of dollars and apparently the BLM is concerned that many of these claims may not have mineral values that reflect their huge asking prices, be improperly filed, or have one or more of the many other problems that can affect mining claims.
In a dramatic reversal of policy the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has posted the following on the huge internet auction house, eBay. Mining claims are currently being offered on eBay with prices ranging into the millions of dollars and apparently the BLM is concerned that many of these claims may not have mineral values that reflect their huge asking prices, be improperly filed, or have one or more of the many other problems that can affect mining claims.
Placer Gold in Washington
February 2001
The state of Washington is not especially known for placer gold, yet significant amounts have been recovered in a few districts. These deposits are usually downstream from lode mining areas, some of which are in British Columbia.
The state of Washington is not especially known for placer gold, yet significant amounts have been recovered in a few districts. These deposits are usually downstream from lode mining areas, some of which are in British Columbia.
The Bawl Mill
September 1999
• So much for privacy in the great outdoors...
• It's smoky in the Smoky Mountains...
• A tale of two or three populations...
• That retirement nest egg may need to be grade A extra large...
• So much for privacy in the great outdoors...
• It's smoky in the Smoky Mountains...
• A tale of two or three populations...
• That retirement nest egg may need to be grade A extra large...
Looking Back
May 2007
Excerpts from California Mining Journal, our original title, published 50 years ago this month.
Excerpts from California Mining Journal, our original title, published 50 years ago this month.
Revisiting an Old Mine in Idaho Reaps Rewards
April 2012
Our research indicated this whole area had been claimed by Newmont mining company for several years, but when the price of gold dropped they let the claims expire, and we confirmed this with the local BLM office.
Our research indicated this whole area had been claimed by Newmont mining company for several years, but when the price of gold dropped they let the claims expire, and we confirmed this with the local BLM office.
Subscription Required:
The Bawl Mill
• The Price of Gold—Where It’s Headed and Why
• Mining Companies Competing for Labor
• Placer Gold in Russia
• The Rampart Goldfields, Alaska
• Tales of California Gold Discoveries 3rd in a Series—Bloody Nick The Miner
• Company Notes
• Miners Rally Successful
• Venezuela’s Chavez Halts Mining Projects
• Metal-Mineral Identification Utilizing a Detector
• Mining Stock Quotes and Mineral & Metal Prices
• Looking Back
• Melman on Gold & Silver
• Montana Lawmakers Want Economic Review of New Mining Rule







