Gondwana Gold and Diamonds
October 2002
Some 250 million years ago, the Earth had just one supercontinent, known as “Pangaea.” For whatever reason, the supercontinent began to break apart. South America and Africa remained joined, as “Gondwana,” until 65 million years ago, when they split apart. The obvious “fit” of South America with Africa was noted by geologists back in the 19th century, but it was not until Alfred Wegener came out with his “continental drift” hypothesis in 1912 that people took note.
Some 250 million years ago, the Earth had just one supercontinent, known as “Pangaea.” For whatever reason, the supercontinent began to break apart. South America and Africa remained joined, as “Gondwana,” until 65 million years ago, when they split apart. The obvious “fit” of South America with Africa was noted by geologists back in the 19th century, but it was not until Alfred Wegener came out with his “continental drift” hypothesis in 1912 that people took note.
Looking Back
October 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.
Ghost Towns of Washington County, Utah
October 2002
As people race by on Interstate 15 through the southwestern portion of Utah, they miss many relics of early silver mining and agricultural days hidden just off the freeway. Washington County had a rich mining and farming history dating back to Civil War times, and there are some that believe it still holds some hope for future mining.
As people race by on Interstate 15 through the southwestern portion of Utah, they miss many relics of early silver mining and agricultural days hidden just off the freeway. Washington County had a rich mining and farming history dating back to Civil War times, and there are some that believe it still holds some hope for future mining.
The Fire Within
October 2002
I can’t remember the exact day, but I do remember I was 11 years old when my father Charlie Sr. took me prospecting for the first time. That’s the day the fire and passion for gold was first ignited in me. I was born and raised in Grand Forks, British Columbia, and was lucky enough to have a gold bearing creek about 10 miles from our home.
I can’t remember the exact day, but I do remember I was 11 years old when my father Charlie Sr. took me prospecting for the first time. That’s the day the fire and passion for gold was first ignited in me. I was born and raised in Grand Forks, British Columbia, and was lucky enough to have a gold bearing creek about 10 miles from our home.
2002 California State Gold Panning Championships—Foresthill, California
October 2002
For the second year in a row the historic mining town of Foresthill hosted the California State Gold Panning Championships. The State Championships are sponsored by the Mother Lode Goldhounds, a California non-profit corporation.
For the second year in a row the historic mining town of Foresthill hosted the California State Gold Panning Championships. The State Championships are sponsored by the Mother Lode Goldhounds, a California non-profit corporation.
Melman on Gold & Silver
October 2002
The world remains a fascinating place to watch, for it seems that just when some of the most serious problems appear to be on their way to resolution, a whole new collection crops up. We appear to have been in just that type of environment this past month.
The world remains a fascinating place to watch, for it seems that just when some of the most serious problems appear to be on their way to resolution, a whole new collection crops up. We appear to have been in just that type of environment this past month.
The Bawl Mill
November 2002
• “Dole”ing out spam
• Martinis with the Mayor
• FBI is afraid of a mouse
• Politically and fashionably correct
• “Dole”ing out spam
• Martinis with the Mayor
• FBI is afraid of a mouse
• Politically and fashionably correct
Our Readers Say
November 2002
• “...especially fond of the articles written by Dan Hausel”
• “You are for the serious miner!”
• “I’ve learned so much.”
• “...especially fond of the articles written by Dan Hausel”
• “You are for the serious miner!”
• “I’ve learned so much.”
Legislative and Regulatory Update
November 2002
• "Scared" Indian sites and Glamis gold
• Regulatory Flexibility Act
• Miner Acquitted
• Environmentalists at it again in Oregon
• Miner owners want high court to overturn ruling
• More of the same from the EPA
• "Scared" Indian sites and Glamis gold
• Regulatory Flexibility Act
• Miner Acquitted
• Environmentalists at it again in Oregon
• Miner owners want high court to overturn ruling
• More of the same from the EPA
Lamproites and Diamonds
November 2002
Most prospectors are aware that diamonds are sometimes found in kimberlite, but few are aware that diamonds are also found in another rock type known as lamproite. Lamproite is a very rare volcanic rock that often...
Most prospectors are aware that diamonds are sometimes found in kimberlite, but few are aware that diamonds are also found in another rock type known as lamproite. Lamproite is a very rare volcanic rock that often...
Working the Belmont Mine, Butte, Montana—1953 (Part 2)
November 2002
During the two weeks that Jack had been hanging around the dump, no more than a dozen words had passed between us. As far as I knew, he didn’t know any more about me than I did about him. Consequently, I couldn’t believe my ears when I heard Jack ask, “Would you like to come and work with me?”
During the two weeks that Jack had been hanging around the dump, no more than a dozen words had passed between us. As far as I knew, he didn’t know any more about me than I did about him. Consequently, I couldn’t believe my ears when I heard Jack ask, “Would you like to come and work with me?”
A Real Placer Miner
November 2002
So you think you know a lot about placer mining? Well let me tell you about a placer miner that has forgotten more about placer mining than you and I will ever learn in our lifetimes.
So you think you know a lot about placer mining? Well let me tell you about a placer miner that has forgotten more about placer mining than you and I will ever learn in our lifetimes.
Mojave Desert Gold
November 2002
The Mojave Desert is located in southeastern California, southern Nevada, western Arizona, and northern Sonora. Geologically, its western boundary is marked by the San Andreas and Garlock faults, but elsewhere, the boundaries are...
The Mojave Desert is located in southeastern California, southern Nevada, western Arizona, and northern Sonora. Geologically, its western boundary is marked by the San Andreas and Garlock faults, but elsewhere, the boundaries are...
Miner Unhappy After Judge Dismisses Charges
November 2002
Don Eno, a well-known miner and prospector in Plumas National Forest, is the Public Affairs Director of the Lost Sierra Mining & Historical Association and the Northern Office for Public Lands for the People (PLP). He was issued a citation for violating Forest Order 03-98—“camping for longer than 30 days per calendar year...”
Don Eno, a well-known miner and prospector in Plumas National Forest, is the Public Affairs Director of the Lost Sierra Mining & Historical Association and the Northern Office for Public Lands for the People (PLP). He was issued a citation for violating Forest Order 03-98—“camping for longer than 30 days per calendar year...”
Picks & Pans: Fig Tree, Grape Vine and Good Gold
November 2002
The south fork of the Yuba River was still too high to cross safely on the first day of the dredging season for 2002, but Leon was able to use this condition to his advantage. He dredged high on the bank where big dredges would not go and produced...
The south fork of the Yuba River was still too high to cross safely on the first day of the dredging season for 2002, but Leon was able to use this condition to his advantage. He dredged high on the bank where big dredges would not go and produced...
Sluicing on Bedrock
November 2002
My head nearly scraped the caribou horns that hung above the doorway of the old tarpaper cabin I would call home for a few days. The cabin was originally built in the early 1930s and had been dragged about 200 yards across the valley to...
My head nearly scraped the caribou horns that hung above the doorway of the old tarpaper cabin I would call home for a few days. The cabin was originally built in the early 1930s and had been dragged about 200 yards across the valley to...
Sandstone Silver in Texas
November 2002
Sandstone silver deposits are found at several places near Van Horn, West Texas. The region is in the Basin Range province, which is characterized by low mountain ranges separated by broad desert valleys. Most of the region receives less than 10 inches of rain per year, barely enough to support scrubby desert vegetation. Van Horn (Pop. 3,000) is 121 miles, by highway, east of El Paso.
Sandstone silver deposits are found at several places near Van Horn, West Texas. The region is in the Basin Range province, which is characterized by low mountain ranges separated by broad desert valleys. Most of the region receives less than 10 inches of rain per year, barely enough to support scrubby desert vegetation. Van Horn (Pop. 3,000) is 121 miles, by highway, east of El Paso.
A Few Prospecting Notes From Jim Straight
November 2002
The article that appeared in the October 2002 Issue of ICMJ, “Confessions of a Professional Nuggetshooter,” by Lunk, is an example of how to use a “deep-seeking-type” metal detector to lay down a grid pattern to “mine” eluvial placer gold after prospecting and finding the first nugget as the locus.
The article that appeared in the October 2002 Issue of ICMJ, “Confessions of a Professional Nuggetshooter,” by Lunk, is an example of how to use a “deep-seeking-type” metal detector to lay down a grid pattern to “mine” eluvial placer gold after prospecting and finding the first nugget as the locus.
Explorers to Salvage Gold-Laden Ship
November 2002
A salvage company struck a 20-year deal with Britain to search for riches in the sunken warship HMS Sussex, which went down in 1694, laden with gold and silver.
A salvage company struck a 20-year deal with Britain to search for riches in the sunken warship HMS Sussex, which went down in 1694, laden with gold and silver.
Melman on Gold & Silver
November 2002
To paraphrase Shakespeare, “To war, or not to war, that is the question.” That was the question that dominated national and international headlines over the past month, at least those headlines that were not otherwise occupied by detailing information about one market collapse after another around the world. It is hard to know which was the more important story.
To paraphrase Shakespeare, “To war, or not to war, that is the question.” That was the question that dominated national and international headlines over the past month, at least those headlines that were not otherwise occupied by detailing information about one market collapse after another around the world. It is hard to know which was the more important story.
