All Articles
The Swift Shore Mine 1862—Present
March 2001 by Don Robinson
Michigan Bluff is an old mining town dating back to the 1850s. It is located in Placer County, about 25 miles northeast of Auburn, just past the town of Foresthill. It sits on the very edge of a mountain, with the Middle Fork of the American River flowing about 1200 feet lower at the bottom of the canyon.Butte County: Another Mother Lode Favorite
There are so many places in this region to discuss that one article won’t be enough to cover it all, so I’ll focus on a couple of places that we found interesting while searching for gold.
Ask The Experts—Iridium
Q: I believe I have found a deposit that contains iridium. What can you tell me about iridium? Are there any tests I can do in the field to confirm it is iridium? How much is iridium worth? Where can I get it assayed? Can I refine it myself?
A Word from the Editor
I've received a few letters over the past year regarding assays and assayers. Most wanted to know how to tell the good ones from the bad. You'll find most of these questions answered by Ralph Pray in his article, "Fake Assays and Assayers," in this month's issue.
Picks & Pans: The Gold Bullion Mine
It was here, so long ago that the Gold Bullion Mine once had a promising future. I could almost hear the old stamp mill still echoing out its rhythm, pounding rich gold ore into small pieces.
Looking Back
Excerpts from California Mining Journal, our original title, published 50 years ago this month.
4 Keys to Successful Nugget Hunting
Lots of prospectors are trying out nugget detecting for the first time and finding out that it isn’t all that easy. In fact, in my opinion, metal detecting for nuggets is perhaps the most difficult form of prospecting that one can take on.
Subscription Required:
The Bawl Mill
• Our Readers Say
• Gem Theft in Tucson
• BLM 3809 Final Rule Implications
• Winter Dredging
• Selecting a Gold Recovery System
• Placer Diamonds in Venezuela
• Picks & Pans: Leon Always Finds the Most Gold
• Company Notes
• Placer Gold in the Black Hills, South Dakota
• Platinum and Diamond Discoveries Shine New Light on Historic Alaska Gold-Mining District
• GATA Update
• Melman on Gold & Silver
• Mining Stock Quotes and Mineral & Metal Prices