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Understanding Hard Rock Mining: Terms and Methods—Part I
June 2004 by Chris Ralph
While most small-scale prospectors and miners focus their energies on placer deposits, most large mining companies put their efforts primarily into hard rock mining. Although many miners may see these as two separate worlds that can never meet, a better understanding of hard rock mining for small operators can be very helpful in many ways.Looking Back
Excerpts from California Mining Journal, our original title, published 50 years ago this month.
Ask The Experts
Gold in clastic black shale
Little Rocky Mountains, Montana
The Little Rocky Mountains are a group of wooded hills, 10 miles long and 8 miles wide, which form an island in the Great Plains of north-central Montana. They rise to 5,708 feet, 2,000 feet above the surrounding plains.
The Other Minerals of Mt. Diablo
Although it is now known that Mount Diablo, located in Contra Costa County in the East Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area, was the site of the largest coal mining operation in the state during the last half of the 19th century... this majestic focal point... also was the source of other minerals.
Bucket Dredged Boulder Gold
The black sand was loaded with mercury from the river, but there wasn’t enough to pick up all the fines. We took out the amalgam and had to suction up the remaining fine gold.
Gold Prospecting for Better or Worse: Gold Is Where You Find It
Saturday came and it looked to have the makings of a dreary, misty day. Undaunted, I loaded my truck with my sluice, buckets and gear, and headed for the claim.
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