The Geology of Diamond Deposits

May 2019 by Chris Ralph

New theories have been developed and they may lead to new discoveries and give prospectors some new insight on where to look for diamonds.

Critical Metals: Antimony

June 2016
I’ve been taking a look at the mining and uses of a number of critical metals in series of articles, and it’s time to take a look at antimony.

The Wild Rush to Find More Cobalt—Part I

February 2018

While some future cobalt will come from recycling lithium batteries and other products, the coming huge need for cobalt is virtually a perfect storm of heavy demand and insufficient supply.

Understanding and Prospecting Benches

September 2011
The most obvious benches are usually near the valley floor, but they can be thousands of feet above the valley floor. Since benches were made by streams, they can contain placer deposits.

Arizona's Vulture Gold Mine and Lost Dutchman

May 2012
When prospectors and treasure hunters talk of gold in Arizona, it is the Lost Dutchman or Vulture mine they usually think of. The Lost Dutchman gold mine is just that—a myth chalked full of holes that has been embellished over time as any good legend should be.

All About Quartz—Part II

July 2013
In our May 2013 issue, we took a look at the mineral quartz, a mineral very commonly associated with gold. However, gold is not the only reason prospectors are interested in quartz. Quartz can also be very valuable as a gemstone

Gold, Quartz & Chalcedony—Part II

November 2011
The specific gravity of chalcedony is 2.58 to 2.64. This is slightly lower than coarsely crystalline quartz because of slight porosity in chalcedony. Being so light, it will easily wash out of a gold pan.

Gold in The Silver Crown District, Wyoming

February 2015
When my field assistant Jay Roberts and I entered the mine, it appeared as if someone just walked out of the mine, turned off the lights and never returned.

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