Simple Rules of Gold Geology: Comparing Epithermal and Mesothermal Deposits

July 2017 by Chris Ralph

Geology is a science of general tendencies with frequent exceptions, not one of hard and fast rules that are always true and never vary. For almost every well-accepted rule of gold deposits, I can point you to a number of important exceptions.

Potholes and Other Bedrock Traps

September 2012
Potholes in bedrock can trap placer minerals and even be glory holes. They are, at least, interesting geologic phenomena, and at best, a treasure trove of gold nuggets.

Prospecting for Silver Deposits

August 2015
In some ways, silver is the forgotten precious metal because it straddles both the world of precious metals and jewelry, while having many important  industrial applications like a base metal. The price of silver reflects both the precious metal investment demand as well as the industrial demand.

Gold, Quartz & Chalcedony—Part I

October 2011
Gold has always been noted to have an affinity for quartz to such a degree prospectors almost always dig on quartz veins in a search for the precious metal.

Northwestern Alaska Mineral Resources

February 2016
Gold and jade are actually only minor mineral resources for the Northwestern Alaska region as a whole. Modern prospecting has focused more on base metal than precious metal resources.

Flood Plain Gold Deposits—What Are They Really?

November 2017

We just completed a trip to another river, and yes, there was definite movement and redistribution of gravels, and other prospectors have seen this as well.

Nevada's Silver City Gold District -- Part II

May 2016

...this district has had a continuous life of gold mining and milling that spans 150 plus years, and it appears that it will keep pressing on for many more years of production.

Detecting for Gold in Australia—The Kimberley Trip

December 2010
The hair stood up on the back of my neck when I saw this, especially the nice patches of wash in the bottoms of the gullies, a sure sign of an auriferous source being nearby.

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