PGMs in California
September 2002
The occurrence of platinum-group metals (PGMs) is rather widespread in California in placer deposits, but they are not of commercial interest as things now stand.
The occurrence of platinum-group metals (PGMs) is rather widespread in California in placer deposits, but they are not of commercial interest as things now stand.
Picks & Pans: The Professional Nuggetshooter
September 2002
I recently returned from a nugget-shooting trip somewhere in the extensive Basin Range of Nevada. While there, I happened to meet “Young Fella,” a professional nuggetshooter.
I recently returned from a nugget-shooting trip somewhere in the extensive Basin Range of Nevada. While there, I happened to meet “Young Fella,” a professional nuggetshooter.
Company Notes
September 2002
• Great Basin Gold
• Hecla Mining Company
• Newmont Mining Corp.
• U.S. Gold Corp.
• X-Cal Resources Ltd.
• Pan American Silver Corp.
• Corner Bay Silver Inc.
• Great Basin Gold
• Hecla Mining Company
• Newmont Mining Corp.
• U.S. Gold Corp.
• X-Cal Resources Ltd.
• Pan American Silver Corp.
• Corner Bay Silver Inc.
Gold in the First Pan
September 2002
Leon has a reputation of seeing more snakes than most other gold miners. The fire red and yellow concentric rings of the mountain king snake looked especially bright in the morning sun as it lay motionless on black rock. Leon touched it with a stick, but the cold snake moved only a little.
Leon has a reputation of seeing more snakes than most other gold miners. The fire red and yellow concentric rings of the mountain king snake looked especially bright in the morning sun as it lay motionless on black rock. Leon touched it with a stick, but the cold snake moved only a little.
Looking Back
September 2002
Excerpts from California Mining Journal, our original title, published 50 years ago this month.
Excerpts from California Mining Journal, our original title, published 50 years ago this month.
Cedros Island, Mexico
September 2002
Cedros Island, 134 square miles in area, lies in the Pacific Ocean, 14 miles off the west coast of Baja California. It is 265 miles south of Ensenada and 340 miles south of San Diego. It is one of the few Mexican islands that is inhabited, with the fishing village of Puerto Cedros having a population of 400.
Cedros Island, 134 square miles in area, lies in the Pacific Ocean, 14 miles off the west coast of Baja California. It is 265 miles south of Ensenada and 340 miles south of San Diego. It is one of the few Mexican islands that is inhabited, with the fishing village of Puerto Cedros having a population of 400.
The Eagle and High Peak Mines of Julian, California
September 2002
At an altitude of over 4,000 feet, in the mountainous terrain of eastern San Diego County, lies the once productive Julian Mining District. Beginning with placer prospecting in 1869, this area moved rapidly into underground quartz or vein mining for gold.
At an altitude of over 4,000 feet, in the mountainous terrain of eastern San Diego County, lies the once productive Julian Mining District. Beginning with placer prospecting in 1869, this area moved rapidly into underground quartz or vein mining for gold.
Melman on Gold & Silver
September 2002
Anyone looking for stability sure didn’t appreciate the financial markets of this past month as they fell, rose, fell and rose with dizzying swiftness, changing directions on the turn of a dime. This was as true of the gold share markets as it was of the financial markets in general.
Anyone looking for stability sure didn’t appreciate the financial markets of this past month as they fell, rose, fell and rose with dizzying swiftness, changing directions on the turn of a dime. This was as true of the gold share markets as it was of the financial markets in general.
The Bawl Mill
October 2002
• No end in sight to tax and spend
• Leadership or sinking ship?
• No end in sight to tax and spend
• Leadership or sinking ship?
Our Readers Say
October 2002
• "It's not often that I disagree with your opinions..."
• "Thank you..."
• "I've enjoyed metal detecting..."
• "It's not often that I disagree with your opinions..."
• "Thank you..."
• "I've enjoyed metal detecting..."
Legislative and Regulatory Update
October 2002
• Financial Guarantees (Bonding)
• National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
• Diesel engine exhaust
• Senator Daschle inadvertently helps timber industry
• USFWS implementing Wildlands Project without voter approval
• Financial Guarantees (Bonding)
• National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
• Diesel engine exhaust
• Senator Daschle inadvertently helps timber industry
• USFWS implementing Wildlands Project without voter approval
Placer Gold in Idaho
October 2002
Idaho is situated in the Rocky Mountains except for the southern third, which encompasses the Snake River Plain and desert mountains to the south. Elevations range up to 12,662 feet at Mt. Borah, with annual precipitation varying from 8 inches in the south to over 60 inches in the central mountains.
Idaho is situated in the Rocky Mountains except for the southern third, which encompasses the Snake River Plain and desert mountains to the south. Elevations range up to 12,662 feet at Mt. Borah, with annual precipitation varying from 8 inches in the south to over 60 inches in the central mountains.
Working the Belmont Mine Butte, Montana—1953
October 2002
Waiting to go underground in the Belmont Mine in Butte, Montana, I hoped that I didn’t look like a green college kid. I enjoyed watching the ropes run through the sheaves at the top of the head frame as the shaft crew was busy changing over...
Waiting to go underground in the Belmont Mine in Butte, Montana, I hoped that I didn’t look like a green college kid. I enjoyed watching the ropes run through the sheaves at the top of the head frame as the shaft crew was busy changing over...
Simple Sluice Design
October 2002
One of the first pieces of prospecting equipment I acquired was a really nice little aluminum backpack sluice. I’ve used it for some time now and have always been impressed with how well it works for keeping the fine wire gold. But ever since I got on the Internet and started looking around for prospecting stuff, I have been toying with the idea of making a flexible conduit sluice.
One of the first pieces of prospecting equipment I acquired was a really nice little aluminum backpack sluice. I’ve used it for some time now and have always been impressed with how well it works for keeping the fine wire gold. But ever since I got on the Internet and started looking around for prospecting stuff, I have been toying with the idea of making a flexible conduit sluice.
Cobalt and Nickel in Missouri
October 2002
Cobalt and nickel are tough silver-white metals, with similar physical properties, that frequently occur together in nature, along with copper sulfides. Cobalt and nickel are used as alloys, providing great strength and resistance...
Cobalt and nickel are tough silver-white metals, with similar physical properties, that frequently occur together in nature, along with copper sulfides. Cobalt and nickel are used as alloys, providing great strength and resistance...
Sunshine Mine Video Brings Back Painful Memories
October 2002
When a federal employee decided to make a safety video for miners, she didn’t expect to reopen 30-year-old wounds from one of the nation’s worst mining disasters. But a roomful of tough men had watery eyes as they watched the film “You Are My Sunshine,” which recounted the Sunshine Mine disaster of 1972 that claimed 91 lives.
When a federal employee decided to make a safety video for miners, she didn’t expect to reopen 30-year-old wounds from one of the nation’s worst mining disasters. But a roomful of tough men had watery eyes as they watched the film “You Are My Sunshine,” which recounted the Sunshine Mine disaster of 1972 that claimed 91 lives.
Hardrock Detecting
October 2002
A local mining company had been mining in the Circle mining district area creeks in interior Alaska for sixteen years. Using bulldozers, drag-lines, water pumps, and large sluicing plants, the owner-operator was very familiar with the geology...
A local mining company had been mining in the Circle mining district area creeks in interior Alaska for sixteen years. Using bulldozers, drag-lines, water pumps, and large sluicing plants, the owner-operator was very familiar with the geology...
Gold Garbage: Scams New & Old
October 2002
Here’s what actually happened, described in the case file documents: Based on a precious metal assay certificate signed by a registered southwest assayer, the sellers, in consideration of the payment of over $53 million, transfer over 185,000 troy ounces stored in a warehouse to a company based in Norway. This document was signed and notarized in a southwest town, and was publicly distributed in 2001. Guess what?! The warehouse floor concrete may have a higher gold assay than the concentrates sitting above it valued at fifty-three million.
Here’s what actually happened, described in the case file documents: Based on a precious metal assay certificate signed by a registered southwest assayer, the sellers, in consideration of the payment of over $53 million, transfer over 185,000 troy ounces stored in a warehouse to a company based in Norway. This document was signed and notarized in a southwest town, and was publicly distributed in 2001. Guess what?! The warehouse floor concrete may have a higher gold assay than the concentrates sitting above it valued at fifty-three million.
Company Notes
October 2002
• Great Quest Metals Ltd
• Fronteer Development Group
• Vista Gold Corp.
• NovaGold Resources
• Great Quest Metals Ltd
• Fronteer Development Group
• Vista Gold Corp.
• NovaGold Resources
Picks & Pans: Confessions of a Professional Nuggetshooter
October 2002
Howdy, fellow nuggetshooters! My name is Lunk, formerly known as Crummy, a professional nuggetshooter with a few tips for you weekenders who are thinking about going pro.
Howdy, fellow nuggetshooters! My name is Lunk, formerly known as Crummy, a professional nuggetshooter with a few tips for you weekenders who are thinking about going pro.
