Small Mining Operations
Sixteen to One Gold Mine: Unique Challenges and Potential Rewards - Pt I
January 2020 by David Hughes
Many of the Sixteen to One’s challenges arise from its unusual geology and the pocket characteristics of the ore deposits.
Practical Advice for Milling Hard Rock Ores
The problem is that extracting gold from hard rock is often a lot more difficult than processing placer gravels. Still, there is some very high-grade ore out there in many old mining areas.
Montana Gold and Sapphires Revisited
I had a chance to visit the operation in person and talk with Neal. I was very impressed and I think our readers could learn a lot about building up a commercial placer operation from scratch…
Gold Recovery with Centrifugal Bowls

Ancestral Yuba River Placer Gold Deposits
The small-scale miner has reasonable opportunity to exploit some of these small, rich placer gold deposits.
Gold Dredging on Oregon's South Umpqua

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.
The Basics of Exploration Leases and Contracts—Part I
Let’s take a look at these important property aspects individually, because they all affect the value of a property and how much mining companies might or might not be interested acquiring it.
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• Gold In The Midwest—Part II: Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio
• 21st Century American Gold Rush: Rare Earth Elements
• Exceptions to the Rules: Re-Thinking Prospecting Rules of Thumb
• Prospecting The East Fork San Gabriel Canyon, Southern California
• Hit the Slopes to Find More Gold
• What About Palladium?
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