A Unique Prospecting Method
April 2003
In 1948, I lived alone in the Cerrillos Mountains south of Santa Fe, New Mexico, at the Tom Payne Mine. When lead and zinc metal prices suddenly took a nosedive, our ore and concentrate shipments from the Payne to the ASARCO smelter...
In 1948, I lived alone in the Cerrillos Mountains south of Santa Fe, New Mexico, at the Tom Payne Mine. When lead and zinc metal prices suddenly took a nosedive, our ore and concentrate shipments from the Payne to the ASARCO smelter...
Over the Divide
April 2003
Ron Stockman
1939—2003
Ron Stockman
1939—2003
Cripple Creek, Colorado
April 2003
The historic mining town of Cripple Creek (population 600) is 43 miles, by paved highway, west of Colorado Springs, almost two miles high in the Colorado Rockies.
The historic mining town of Cripple Creek (population 600) is 43 miles, by paved highway, west of Colorado Springs, almost two miles high in the Colorado Rockies.
Picks & Pans: Virginia Prospecting
April 2003
On a recent day in late November, the Virginia deer hunting season was in full swing. For most of the morning, while I was busy shoveling stream gravel into a sluice, the surrounding woods echoed with the sound of gunfire and...
On a recent day in late November, the Virginia deer hunting season was in full swing. For most of the morning, while I was busy shoveling stream gravel into a sluice, the surrounding woods echoed with the sound of gunfire and...
PLP Gets the Key!
April 2003
I am an electrical contractor and a Board Member of Public Lands for the People (PLP). I have clients, a husband and wife, who own private property in the Los Padres National Forest. There are two ways to access their property. Both are pilots and able to fly in via small plane or helicopter, which for me was an exciting perk of working at this property.
I am an electrical contractor and a Board Member of Public Lands for the People (PLP). I have clients, a husband and wife, who own private property in the Los Padres National Forest. There are two ways to access their property. Both are pilots and able to fly in via small plane or helicopter, which for me was an exciting perk of working at this property.
Mariposa, California
April 2003
The sleepy town of Mariposa, known more today as one of the gateways to Yosemite National Park, was once considered the southern end of the famed “Mother Lode” gold deposits that stretched hundreds of miles throughout California’s Sierra...
The sleepy town of Mariposa, known more today as one of the gateways to Yosemite National Park, was once considered the southern end of the famed “Mother Lode” gold deposits that stretched hundreds of miles throughout California’s Sierra...
The Ocampo District, Chihuahua
April 2003
The village of Ocampo is wedged in a canyon about 178 miles, by Mexican Highway 16, west of the city of Chihuahua. It is a few miles west of Basaseachic Falls, and a few miles south of Highway 16, in high chaparral at an elevation of 6,500 feet. The completion of Highway 16 across the Sierra Madre Occidental greatly improved access to the region...
The village of Ocampo is wedged in a canyon about 178 miles, by Mexican Highway 16, west of the city of Chihuahua. It is a few miles west of Basaseachic Falls, and a few miles south of Highway 16, in high chaparral at an elevation of 6,500 feet. The completion of Highway 16 across the Sierra Madre Occidental greatly improved access to the region...
The Collaboration
April 2003
When Jimmy stuck his head in my office that morning, little did I realize that his question would lead to a surprising collaboration. “Hey, Slusher, did you know that the Rock Shop out east of Deming has a pile of our ore in their back yard?”
When Jimmy stuck his head in my office that morning, little did I realize that his question would lead to a surprising collaboration. “Hey, Slusher, did you know that the Rock Shop out east of Deming has a pile of our ore in their back yard?”
Mud Creek Placer Mine
April 2003
Continued from last month...
The Mud Creek Placer Mine is a true quest. Previously we acknowledged the rich reserves contained in the ground near Candle, Alaska. Now the miners and equipment need to find their way there and start the operation.
Continued from last month...
The Mud Creek Placer Mine is a true quest. Previously we acknowledged the rich reserves contained in the ground near Candle, Alaska. Now the miners and equipment need to find their way there and start the operation.
Looking Back
April 2003
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.
Melman on Gold & Silver
April 2003
Never have I regretted the deadlines we must work with at this publication as I do this month, for events of tremendous significance are likely to occur between the time this column must be prepared and the time our readers will receive it.
Never have I regretted the deadlines we must work with at this publication as I do this month, for events of tremendous significance are likely to occur between the time this column must be prepared and the time our readers will receive it.
The Ball Mill
May 2003
• This wasn't the UN makeover we were expecting
• Do you have more money than you really need?
• British tabloids "French roast" Chirac
• Reporter comes out of the closet
• This wasn't the UN makeover we were expecting
• Do you have more money than you really need?
• British tabloids "French roast" Chirac
• Reporter comes out of the closet
Our Readers Say
May 2003
• "...writing from Kuwait..."
• "...invaluable tools..."
• "Longtime prospector."
• "...writing from Kuwait..."
• "...invaluable tools..."
• "Longtime prospector."
Legislative and Regulatory Update
May 2003
• DOI limits Wilderness
• Current California administration solidifies anti-mining stance
• Juneau welcomes miners
• Bill would restrict public land purchases
• Barrick wins suit against EPA reporting requirements
• Utah obtains rights-of-way on federal lands
• DOI limits Wilderness
• Current California administration solidifies anti-mining stance
• Juneau welcomes miners
• Bill would restrict public land purchases
• Barrick wins suit against EPA reporting requirements
• Utah obtains rights-of-way on federal lands
BLM Runs Check on Assay Services
May 2003
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) recently conducted a multi-year study of sixty-five assay laboratories to determine the accuracy of their testing procedures. The laboratories, all located in North America, were provided with ore samples of known concentrations without benefit of identifying the source as BLM. Payment was rendered for the service provided.
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) recently conducted a multi-year study of sixty-five assay laboratories to determine the accuracy of their testing procedures. The laboratories, all located in North America, were provided with ore samples of known concentrations without benefit of identifying the source as BLM. Payment was rendered for the service provided.
WMD Raffle Raises Funds for Lawsuit
May 2003
On February 6, 2003, the environmental group Siskiyou Regional Education Project (SREP) filed suit in US District Court in Medford, Oregon, against the Siskiyou National Forest (SNF), in a third attempt to ban all suction dredging in the SNF.
On February 6, 2003, the environmental group Siskiyou Regional Education Project (SREP) filed suit in US District Court in Medford, Oregon, against the Siskiyou National Forest (SNF), in a third attempt to ban all suction dredging in the SNF.
Gold in Alabama
May 2003
Alabama, 52,423 square miles in area, lies at the southwestern end of the Appalachian Mountains. The highest point in the state is only 2,407 feet above sea level. Summers are long and humid, whereas winters are mild.
Alabama, 52,423 square miles in area, lies at the southwestern end of the Appalachian Mountains. The highest point in the state is only 2,407 feet above sea level. Summers are long and humid, whereas winters are mild.
From the Editor
May 2003
An article entitled “BLM Swindles War Hero Out of Gold Mine,” authored by Robert Boatman, appeared in our September 2002 issue. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) was unable to provide comment on the article at the time.
An article entitled “BLM Swindles War Hero Out of Gold Mine,” authored by Robert Boatman, appeared in our September 2002 issue. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) was unable to provide comment on the article at the time.
Yukon Placer Miners Fighting Extreme Discharge Limits
May 2003
Hold up a glass of tap water and take a look at it. It’s about as clear as the new Yukon water regulations require the water returning to rivers to be after being used by placer miners. The new limit of 25 parts per million (ppm) sediment does not leave a lot of maneuvering room in terms of discharge.
Hold up a glass of tap water and take a look at it. It’s about as clear as the new Yukon water regulations require the water returning to rivers to be after being used by placer miners. The new limit of 25 parts per million (ppm) sediment does not leave a lot of maneuvering room in terms of discharge.
Picks & Pans: Red Beryl Mining—Beaver County, Utah
May 2003
The Ruby Violet Mine is a rare red beryl locality that produces the only gem quality material of this type in the world. The mine is located in a topaz rhyolite within a rhyolite flow in the Wah Wah Mountains in Beaver, County, Utah.
The Ruby Violet Mine is a rare red beryl locality that produces the only gem quality material of this type in the world. The mine is located in a topaz rhyolite within a rhyolite flow in the Wah Wah Mountains in Beaver, County, Utah.












