All Articles
Small-Scale Prospecting & Mining (A Little History)
April 2005 by Jim Straight
During the 49’er gold rush, because of harsh winters and adverse river conditions, the working season could be restricted for a week or more at a time. Moreover, many of the “argonauts” (a term dating back to the adventures of the early Greek gold seekers in seeking the Golden Fleece), were unprepared both mentally and physically to meet the harsh conditions.Additional articles that might interest you...
Legislative and Regulatory Update
July 2016
PLF scores another win for property rights
PLF scores another win for property rights
Picks & Pans: Dredging and Detecting in Sierra City
October 2003
Every year for the past several years I have taken a prospecting trip to Sierra City, California, to dredge on a friend’s claim. Sierra City is a historic gold rush town of a little more than 200 persons. Known mostly for its rich lode mines, it also had...
Every year for the past several years I have taken a prospecting trip to Sierra City, California, to dredge on a friend’s claim. Sierra City is a historic gold rush town of a little more than 200 persons. Known mostly for its rich lode mines, it also had...
A Gold Detector Sitting in a Closet Only Finds Dust—More Detector Tips
June 2003
The diverse minerals, salts, and moisture, plus any halo effect, and old-timer trash, especially decomposing iron artifacts, are often found in any dry placer gold field and can really mask the “penetration powers” of a detector.
The diverse minerals, salts, and moisture, plus any halo effect, and old-timer trash, especially decomposing iron artifacts, are often found in any dry placer gold field and can really mask the “penetration powers” of a detector.
The Federal Land Survey System
March 1999
When the thirteen original colonies were laid out in what is now part of the United States, they used the English system of metes and bounds.
When the thirteen original colonies were laid out in what is now part of the United States, they used the English system of metes and bounds.
The Bawl Mill
January 2015
• Congressional "over"-spending bill is big win for big money
• Weapons of mass expenditure
• US taxpayers can celebrate yet another milestone
• Congressional "over"-spending bill is big win for big money
• Weapons of mass expenditure
• US taxpayers can celebrate yet another milestone
The Fairbanks Goldfields
August 2006
It was once said that the Fairbanks Mining District would probably not be much of a producer. The impact of this goldfield on the mining world of the north did not start with a bang. Rather, the participants of this gold rush more or less...
It was once said that the Fairbanks Mining District would probably not be much of a producer. The impact of this goldfield on the mining world of the north did not start with a bang. Rather, the participants of this gold rush more or less...
Subscription Required:
The Bawl Mill
• Our Readers Say
• Progress Report on Washington State Small-Scale Regulations
• Pediments
• Bill to Allow Mining of Coeur d'Alene Basin
• Dredging Below the Homestake
• Looking Back
• Picks & Pans: The Glory Hole
• Enthusiastic Crowds at PDAC
• Fraser Institute Survey Results Rank Best (and Worst) Mining Locales
• Synclinal Oil
• Higher Zinc Price Creates Opportunity
• Government Appeals Miner Injury Case to Supreme Court
• Mining Stock Quotes and Mineral & Metal Prices
• Melman on Gold & Silver







