Alluvial Fans
April 2002
Alluvial fans are essentially dry land “deltas” which can be found in all climates. However, they are best developed in arid and semi-arid regions, where they may be many square miles in area. They are built up by outpourings of silt, sand, and gravel caused by seasonal run-off, as well as by boulders and cobbles carried by flash floods.
Alluvial fans are essentially dry land “deltas” which can be found in all climates. However, they are best developed in arid and semi-arid regions, where they may be many square miles in area. They are built up by outpourings of silt, sand, and gravel caused by seasonal run-off, as well as by boulders and cobbles carried by flash floods.
Platinum Claims on Heines Creek
April 2002
There aren’t too many workable placer deposits of platinum in the world today. Most of the platinum found is in hardrock lodes, usually mixed in the gold, silver or copper outcrops.
There aren’t too many workable placer deposits of platinum in the world today. Most of the platinum found is in hardrock lodes, usually mixed in the gold, silver or copper outcrops.
Picks & Pans: Eureka! We Struck It Again
April 2002
About a half-hour after everything got underway, James came back to Harley, whispering, “Harley, you’re not going to believe this, but I just detected a vein with gold, lots of gold...I mean lots of gold. You’ve got to come and see this.”
About a half-hour after everything got underway, James came back to Harley, whispering, “Harley, you’re not going to believe this, but I just detected a vein with gold, lots of gold...I mean lots of gold. You’ve got to come and see this.”
More on Meteorites
April 2002
...how many of us have knowingly found or bought a meteorite—a small to large mass of stone or metal; a meteor that has survived not only a space voyage of millions of years, but also the impact of striking the earth?
...how many of us have knowingly found or bought a meteorite—a small to large mass of stone or metal; a meteor that has survived not only a space voyage of millions of years, but also the impact of striking the earth?
The Gold Hill and Iowa Mine, Boise County, Idaho: 1863-1895
April 2002
In August 1862, prospectors from Walla Walla, Washington, led by George Grimes, discovered gold near the present townsite of Pioneer City. Grimes was killed by Indians shortly after the discovery. The remaining argonauts retreated to Walla Walla. On October 10, 1862, 52 men returned to Grimes Creek. They built a fort and several cabins before continuing their quest for gold.
In August 1862, prospectors from Walla Walla, Washington, led by George Grimes, discovered gold near the present townsite of Pioneer City. Grimes was killed by Indians shortly after the discovery. The remaining argonauts retreated to Walla Walla. On October 10, 1862, 52 men returned to Grimes Creek. They built a fort and several cabins before continuing their quest for gold.
The First Prospectors
April 2002
Who were the earliest prospectors in the Western Hemisphere? Is there any way to tell?
Who were the earliest prospectors in the Western Hemisphere? Is there any way to tell?
All That Glitters is Gold
April 2002
Or is it? These man-made nuggets first started appearing on some of the Internet auction sites in the summer of 1999, at which time I became a little suspicious and purchased two of them.
Or is it? These man-made nuggets first started appearing on some of the Internet auction sites in the summer of 1999, at which time I became a little suspicious and purchased two of them.
Aussie Gold—Swinging Over to South Australia
April 2002
Since the founding of the original colony in 1836, minerals have proven a vital resource to fund the State’s development. Originally, copper was the lifeblood, being discovered not long after settlement.
Since the founding of the original colony in 1836, minerals have proven a vital resource to fund the State’s development. Originally, copper was the lifeblood, being discovered not long after settlement.
Melman on Gold & Silver
April 2002
Well, will wonders never cease!? It appears that Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan actually smiled when giving his most recent testimony to Congress. Actually, he was so upbeat that he carried the whole stock market with him—as well as others around the world. In fact, if there was one over-riding characteristic of the past month, it was the return of optimism over the economic future.
Well, will wonders never cease!? It appears that Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan actually smiled when giving his most recent testimony to Congress. Actually, he was so upbeat that he carried the whole stock market with him—as well as others around the world. In fact, if there was one over-riding characteristic of the past month, it was the return of optimism over the economic future.
The Bawl Mill
May 2002
• California Governor buys more votes
• The Bank of the EPA
• Just put it on my card
• California Governor buys more votes
• The Bank of the EPA
• Just put it on my card
Our Readers Say
May 2002
“...where does the NFS get the authority and power to restrict access...”
“...where does the NFS get the authority and power to restrict access...”
Legislative and Regulatory Update
May 2002
• Occupancy rules discussed
• Comment period open for small-scale mining and dredging in Oregon
• Occupancy rules discussed
• Comment period open for small-scale mining and dredging in Oregon
California Wilderness Coalition and The Nature Conservancy Recruit Government Employees to Carry Out Huge Land Grab
May 2002
US Geological Survey, US Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, and California State Employees Attend Environmental Extremist Conference.
US Geological Survey, US Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, and California State Employees Attend Environmental Extremist Conference.
Drywashing Rules Clarified
May 2002
Carson Culp, Assistant Director of Minerals, Realty and Resource Protection for BLM, sent out an internal memorandum to all state BLM directors to clarify rules pertaining to gas-powered drywashers.
Carson Culp, Assistant Director of Minerals, Realty and Resource Protection for BLM, sent out an internal memorandum to all state BLM directors to clarify rules pertaining to gas-powered drywashers.
Mineralized Calderas in Colorado
May 2002
A caldera is a large circular volcanic depression caused by collapse due to the removal of molten magma from an underlying magma chamber. The removal of magma is due to explosive venting of lava and pyroclastic material.
A caldera is a large circular volcanic depression caused by collapse due to the removal of molten magma from an underlying magma chamber. The removal of magma is due to explosive venting of lava and pyroclastic material.
The Keystone Gold-Copper District, Medicine Bow Mountains, Southeastern Wyoming
May 2002
The Keystone district includes a group of mineralized shear zones and veins that are associated with the Keystone Quartz Diorite in the Medicine Bow Mountains of southwestern Wyoming. Gold production from this district is unknown, although some estimates suggest that 7,500 to more than 12,000 ounces were produced.
The Keystone district includes a group of mineralized shear zones and veins that are associated with the Keystone Quartz Diorite in the Medicine Bow Mountains of southwestern Wyoming. Gold production from this district is unknown, although some estimates suggest that 7,500 to more than 12,000 ounces were produced.
Picks & Pans: Mining Tungsten Ore—A Case History
May 2002
In 1977, when the price of tungsten hit one of its highs, three of us formed U.S. Western Mines to look for scheelite, the mineral ore of tungsten. Union Carbide Corporation was purchasing raw tungsten ore at...
In 1977, when the price of tungsten hit one of its highs, three of us formed U.S. Western Mines to look for scheelite, the mineral ore of tungsten. Union Carbide Corporation was purchasing raw tungsten ore at...
Gold in Oregon
May 2002
At least 6 million ounces of gold have been produced in Oregon since 1859. Since there are no accurate records of production prior to 1904, it is obvious that total gold production was considerably higher than that which has been recorded.
At least 6 million ounces of gold have been produced in Oregon since 1859. Since there are no accurate records of production prior to 1904, it is obvious that total gold production was considerably higher than that which has been recorded.
Aussie Gold—A Look at the Northern Territory
May 2002
The Northern Territory has about six hundred proven gold deposits and has produced nearly 12 million ounces with a further 15 million ounces to be recovered. While the early hard rock miners were eventually blocked by water flows...
The Northern Territory has about six hundred proven gold deposits and has produced nearly 12 million ounces with a further 15 million ounces to be recovered. While the early hard rock miners were eventually blocked by water flows...
The Phoenix Gold Mine: A Brief History
May 2002
The Phoenix Gold Mine is located approximately 7 miles south of Concord, North Carolina, and was discovered in about 1836, some 37 years following the first discovery of gold in the United States and a few years following the discovery of gold in quartz veins by Joseph Barringer.
The Phoenix Gold Mine is located approximately 7 miles south of Concord, North Carolina, and was discovered in about 1836, some 37 years following the first discovery of gold in the United States and a few years following the discovery of gold in quartz veins by Joseph Barringer.
