The Investigation
May 2003
Six sticks of dynamite had been found in the glove compartment of an abandoned car back in 1972. This started an investigation by every level of law enforcement, including the federal government, in the Silver City, New Mexico area.
Six sticks of dynamite had been found in the glove compartment of an abandoned car back in 1972. This started an investigation by every level of law enforcement, including the federal government, in the Silver City, New Mexico area.
A Gold Detector Sitting in a Closet Only Finds Dust—A Potpourri of Detector Tips
May 2003
Over the past twenty-five years I have used specialized examples of the various units mentioned in the following article. They all can find gold. Using an expensive “high-end” gold machine does not guarantee success. Your choice should depend upon...
Over the past twenty-five years I have used specialized examples of the various units mentioned in the following article. They all can find gold. Using an expensive “high-end” gold machine does not guarantee success. Your choice should depend upon...
Central Coast Ranges
May 2003
A series of coastal ranges, separated by narrow valleys, characterize coastal California south of Monterey. The mountains rise to 5,800 feet in elevation, with annual rainfall varying from 12 to 64 inches, depending on elevation and exposure.
A series of coastal ranges, separated by narrow valleys, characterize coastal California south of Monterey. The mountains rise to 5,800 feet in elevation, with annual rainfall varying from 12 to 64 inches, depending on elevation and exposure.
Poll: Montana in Favor of Repealing Anti-Mining Initiative
May 2003
Canyon Resources Corporation announced results of a recent Montana poll and events in the Montana Legislative session related to citizen efforts to modify or overturn the anti-mining initiative (I-137) passed in 1998 that bans the use of cyanide in open-pit gold and silver mining.
Canyon Resources Corporation announced results of a recent Montana poll and events in the Montana Legislative session related to citizen efforts to modify or overturn the anti-mining initiative (I-137) passed in 1998 that bans the use of cyanide in open-pit gold and silver mining.
Platinum in Laccoliths
May 2003
Laccoliths are unusual igneous features that seem to occur in the stable interior parts of continents. They are concordant igneous intrusions that have domed the overlying rocks and are circular in plan, and less than 10 miles in diameter. This article deals with some of the laccoliths found in the scenic Colorado Plateau province of Utah, Colorado, and Arizona...
Laccoliths are unusual igneous features that seem to occur in the stable interior parts of continents. They are concordant igneous intrusions that have domed the overlying rocks and are circular in plan, and less than 10 miles in diameter. This article deals with some of the laccoliths found in the scenic Colorado Plateau province of Utah, Colorado, and Arizona...
Looking Back
May 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
May 2003
Strange, isn’t it, how our vocabulary has been expanding of late. Up until late 2001, the term “Twin Towers” meant either the combination of the Federal Budgetary Deficit and the National Debt or the two outstanding forwards of the NBA’s San Antonio Spurs. Suddenly, the only relevant meaning was the two destroyed buildings in New York City. By mid-2002, most of us who hadn’t given Afghanistan a second thought became familiar with names of towns and regions in that country.
Strange, isn’t it, how our vocabulary has been expanding of late. Up until late 2001, the term “Twin Towers” meant either the combination of the Federal Budgetary Deficit and the National Debt or the two outstanding forwards of the NBA’s San Antonio Spurs. Suddenly, the only relevant meaning was the two destroyed buildings in New York City. By mid-2002, most of us who hadn’t given Afghanistan a second thought became familiar with names of towns and regions in that country.
The Bawl Mill
June 2003
• What's that smell?
• Do you recognize the face on that milk carton?
• The debate over hockey
• Sir, what size and color bra do you prefer?
• Beam me up
• What's that smell?
• Do you recognize the face on that milk carton?
• The debate over hockey
• Sir, what size and color bra do you prefer?
• Beam me up
Legislative and Regulatory Update
June 2003
• Comment period reopened for pygmy owl critical habitat in Arizona
• Limits on wilderness study areas finalized in Utah
• IBLA rules miner cannot set up store processing equipment on claim when no mining is taking place
• New law to protect claims and equipment in Washington State
• Comment period reopened for pygmy owl critical habitat in Arizona
• Limits on wilderness study areas finalized in Utah
• IBLA rules miner cannot set up store processing equipment on claim when no mining is taking place
• New law to protect claims and equipment in Washington State
City Gives Blessing to Pogo Mine
June 2003
City officials favor construction of the Pogo gold mine near their community, they said at a public comment meeting on the mine conducted by the government agencies responsible for issuing permits for the $250 million project.
City officials favor construction of the Pogo gold mine near their community, they said at a public comment meeting on the mine conducted by the government agencies responsible for issuing permits for the $250 million project.
Underground at Yankee Jim's
June 2003
In 1849, the story spreading around the Barnes Store (on the North Fork of the American near Colfax, California) was about some rich diggings being found up in the hills going east, and not very far up the ridge according to some accounts.
In 1849, the story spreading around the Barnes Store (on the North Fork of the American near Colfax, California) was about some rich diggings being found up in the hills going east, and not very far up the ridge according to some accounts.
Dry Placers in Southern Baja
June 2003
The southern tip of Baja California is dominated by the Sierra de la Laguna, a 70-mile-long mountain range that reaches elevations of 7,095 feet. The range is also known as the Sierra de la Victoria.
The southern tip of Baja California is dominated by the Sierra de la Laguna, a 70-mile-long mountain range that reaches elevations of 7,095 feet. The range is also known as the Sierra de la Victoria.
A Gold Detector Sitting in a Closet Only Finds Dust—More Detector Tips
June 2003
The diverse minerals, salts, and moisture, plus any halo effect, and old-timer trash, especially decomposing iron artifacts, are often found in any dry placer gold field and can really mask the “penetration powers” of a detector.
The diverse minerals, salts, and moisture, plus any halo effect, and old-timer trash, especially decomposing iron artifacts, are often found in any dry placer gold field and can really mask the “penetration powers” of a detector.
Gold in Tennessee
June 2003
The best known placer gold locality in Tennessee is the Coker Creek district, in the southeastern part of the state. The district lies within Cherokee National Forest and covers Coker Creek and its tributaries on the west side of the Smoky Mountains.
The best known placer gold locality in Tennessee is the Coker Creek district, in the southeastern part of the state. The district lies within Cherokee National Forest and covers Coker Creek and its tributaries on the west side of the Smoky Mountains.
Old Stock Certificates—Treasures or Trash?
June 2003
In Canada we are blessed with a multitude of ways of acquiring gold. We can buy a gold ounce leaf from the bank, buy gold in a jewelry store, purchase gold stocks on the stock market, or dig for it ourselves. If we add gold theft to the list we add...
In Canada we are blessed with a multitude of ways of acquiring gold. We can buy a gold ounce leaf from the bank, buy gold in a jewelry store, purchase gold stocks on the stock market, or dig for it ourselves. If we add gold theft to the list we add...
Payette Forest Sides With Mining Company
June 2003
The US Forest Service is siding with a mining company’s bid to reopen roads and drill test holes in the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness.
The US Forest Service is siding with a mining company’s bid to reopen roads and drill test holes in the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness.
Using Mineral Deposit Models
June 2003
Mineral deposit models have been used in mineral exploration for thousands of years. They were obviously not called models as we use the term today, but the idea of accumulating data to predict mineral deposits is the same. Models can be valuable tools in mineral exploration and assessment and are routinely used by major mining companies in locating and evaluating mineral deposits.
Mineral deposit models have been used in mineral exploration for thousands of years. They were obviously not called models as we use the term today, but the idea of accumulating data to predict mineral deposits is the same. Models can be valuable tools in mineral exploration and assessment and are routinely used by major mining companies in locating and evaluating mineral deposits.
Miners Still Waiting for Bonding Recommendations from DOI
June 2003
Bonding regulation changes went into effect in December 2001, requiring many small miners who had been operating under a Notice of Intent to obtain bonding for their operations.
Bonding regulation changes went into effect in December 2001, requiring many small miners who had been operating under a Notice of Intent to obtain bonding for their operations.
The Old Mine Dump
June 2003
There is one special picnic table I fervently wish I had kept. This special table was literally on top of the world. Better yet, it was on the mine dump of the old, long-abandoned gold mines at Summitville, Colorado.
There is one special picnic table I fervently wish I had kept. This special table was literally on top of the world. Better yet, it was on the mine dump of the old, long-abandoned gold mines at Summitville, Colorado.
A Practical Approach to Dowsing
June 2003
The use of dowsing methods to locate underground minerals and materials has been a rather delicate subject for some time. A certain stigma has been automatically attached to both the methods employed and the persons who use these techniques.
The use of dowsing methods to locate underground minerals and materials has been a rather delicate subject for some time. A certain stigma has been automatically attached to both the methods employed and the persons who use these techniques.
