Progress Report on Washington State Small-Scale Regulations
April 2005
Washington State has some of the most far-reaching, restrictive and overzealous regulations in the United States regarding small-scale prospecting and mining. Take one look at the “Gold and Fish” book, which lays out regulations for...
Washington State has some of the most far-reaching, restrictive and overzealous regulations in the United States regarding small-scale prospecting and mining. Take one look at the “Gold and Fish” book, which lays out regulations for...
Legislative and Regulatory Update
April 2005
• ANWR through Senate
• Several proposed bills up for comment
• Okay, there is one good bill
• ANWR through Senate
• Several proposed bills up for comment
• Okay, there is one good bill
Pediments
April 2005
A pediment is a broad, gently sloping erosion surface or plain of low relief that is often found in arid and semi-arid regions at the base of a receding mountain front. The example shown is from the Palo Verde Ranch 15-minute topographic quadrangle, southwest of Tucson, Arizona. This is one of the best examples the writer has ever seen.
A pediment is a broad, gently sloping erosion surface or plain of low relief that is often found in arid and semi-arid regions at the base of a receding mountain front. The example shown is from the Palo Verde Ranch 15-minute topographic quadrangle, southwest of Tucson, Arizona. This is one of the best examples the writer has ever seen.
Bill to Allow Mining of Coeur d'Alene Basin
April 2005
A state House committee supported legislation sponsored by Rep. Dick Harwood that would allow state mining leases for tailings and dumps, which Idaho law currently prohibits.
A state House committee supported legislation sponsored by Rep. Dick Harwood that would allow state mining leases for tailings and dumps, which Idaho law currently prohibits.
Dredging Below the Homestake
April 2005
What better place to dredge for gold in the early 1970s than downhill from the largest gold mine in the US? Gold prices were rising, and it was a good time and place to shop for a prospect.
What better place to dredge for gold in the early 1970s than downhill from the largest gold mine in the US? Gold prices were rising, and it was a good time and place to shop for a prospect.
Looking Back
April 2005
Excerpts from CMJ published 50 years ago this month.
Excerpts from CMJ published 50 years ago this month.
Picks & Pans: The Glory Hole
April 2005
I started the New Year of 1998 with great anticipation of finding that elusive vein of gold. Twice a year I planned my vacation carefully, not to miss the Fourth of July and Labor Day weekend. I wanted to be smack in the heart of the Downieville gold field.
I started the New Year of 1998 with great anticipation of finding that elusive vein of gold. Twice a year I planned my vacation carefully, not to miss the Fourth of July and Labor Day weekend. I wanted to be smack in the heart of the Downieville gold field.
Enthusiastic Crowds at PDAC
April 2005
Nearly 11,000 attended this year’s Prospector and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) convention in Toronto. Joe Hamilton, president of the Convention Planning Committee, beleived he knew why the numbers were so high.
Nearly 11,000 attended this year’s Prospector and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) convention in Toronto. Joe Hamilton, president of the Convention Planning Committee, beleived he knew why the numbers were so high.
Fraser Institute Survey Results Rank Best (and Worst) Mining Locales
April 2005
British Columbia made the biggest jump towards improvement in terms of regulations in the Fraser Institute Annual Survey of Mining Companies. BC, historically relegated to the bottom 10 locations to mine in the survey’s Policy Potential Index, benefited from a change in administration. Three years ago it was dead last.
British Columbia made the biggest jump towards improvement in terms of regulations in the Fraser Institute Annual Survey of Mining Companies. BC, historically relegated to the bottom 10 locations to mine in the survey’s Policy Potential Index, benefited from a change in administration. Three years ago it was dead last.
Synclinal Oil
April 2005
Most oilfields are found in anticlinal faults, or stratigraphic traps. Oil floats on water, so that it will rise to the highest point possible, above the water. If the porous or fractured sandstone or limestone that contains the oil is overlain by impervious shale, the oil can no longer rise. If the porous bed is arched upward...
Most oilfields are found in anticlinal faults, or stratigraphic traps. Oil floats on water, so that it will rise to the highest point possible, above the water. If the porous or fractured sandstone or limestone that contains the oil is overlain by impervious shale, the oil can no longer rise. If the porous bed is arched upward...
Small-Scale Prospecting & Mining (A Little History)
April 2005
During the 49’er gold rush, because of harsh winters and adverse river conditions, the working season could be restricted for a week or more at a time. Moreover, many of the “argonauts” (a term dating back to the adventures of the early Greek gold seekers in seeking the Golden Fleece), were unprepared both mentally and physically to meet the harsh conditions.
During the 49’er gold rush, because of harsh winters and adverse river conditions, the working season could be restricted for a week or more at a time. Moreover, many of the “argonauts” (a term dating back to the adventures of the early Greek gold seekers in seeking the Golden Fleece), were unprepared both mentally and physically to meet the harsh conditions.
Higher Zinc Price Creates Opportunity
April 2005
Zinc is brittle and crystalline at ordinary temperatures, but when heated to between 110°C and 150°C it becomes ductile and malleable; it can then be rolled into sheets. The bluish-white metal is used principally for galvanizing iron, but also...
Zinc is brittle and crystalline at ordinary temperatures, but when heated to between 110°C and 150°C it becomes ductile and malleable; it can then be rolled into sheets. The bluish-white metal is used principally for galvanizing iron, but also...
Government Appeals Miner Injury Case to Supreme Court
April 2005
The Supreme Court said it will consider whether two miners may sue federal officials for personal injuries following a roof collapse at a copper mine that left them paralyzed.
The Supreme Court said it will consider whether two miners may sue federal officials for personal injuries following a roof collapse at a copper mine that left them paralyzed.
The Bawl Mill
May 2005
• FEMA funds fraudulent funerals (say that 3 times fast!)
• Michigan drivers pick up the pace
• The hogs are at the trough again
• Working on a percentage basis
• FEMA funds fraudulent funerals (say that 3 times fast!)
• Michigan drivers pick up the pace
• The hogs are at the trough again
• Working on a percentage basis
Our Readers Say
May 2005
Re: "Synclinal Oil"
Re: "Synclinal Oil"
Legislative and Regulatory Update
May 2005
• NEPA improvements coming?
• Speaking of the Forest Service...
• Murkowski proposes tax increase on miners
• Kensington impact statement affirmed
• Rock Creek on hold, for now
• ESA reform update
• Desert Mineral Mining; one down, two to go for permits
• Montana smells a RAT
• NEPA improvements coming?
• Speaking of the Forest Service...
• Murkowski proposes tax increase on miners
• Kensington impact statement affirmed
• Rock Creek on hold, for now
• ESA reform update
• Desert Mineral Mining; one down, two to go for permits
• Montana smells a RAT
Estimating Gold Values in Placer Gravels
May 2005
The single most important question to be answered when evaluating a placer deposit is: “How much is it worth?” Accurate sampling of placer gravels is essential to obtain a reasonable estimate of the total gold values contained in the deposit.
The single most important question to be answered when evaluating a placer deposit is: “How much is it worth?” Accurate sampling of placer gravels is essential to obtain a reasonable estimate of the total gold values contained in the deposit.
Lode Gold in Nicaragua
May 2005
Nicaragua, a Central American country about the size of Iowa, has not been a major gold producer, yet the nation is filled with lode gold occurrences. Natural and man-made disasters have made the country one of the poorest in...
Nicaragua, a Central American country about the size of Iowa, has not been a major gold producer, yet the nation is filled with lode gold occurrences. Natural and man-made disasters have made the country one of the poorest in...
Miners: Plan Ahead for Next Year's Taxes
May 2005
Many well-equipped prospecting or mining operations, those with adequate, up-to-date equipment, have discovered a secret: Uncle Sam, in the form of our tax laws, is eager to pick-up a portion of the tab for acquiring and modernizing the equipment necessary to operate a successful mining operation business.
Many well-equipped prospecting or mining operations, those with adequate, up-to-date equipment, have discovered a secret: Uncle Sam, in the form of our tax laws, is eager to pick-up a portion of the tab for acquiring and modernizing the equipment necessary to operate a successful mining operation business.
California's Original Sixteen to One Mine
May 2005
The Sixteen to One mine is located in the little town of Alleghany, 40 miles from Nevada City, in Northern California. It has less than sixty residents. The town sits at an altitude of 4,500 feet. In 1885, the town was named by a group of miners...
The Sixteen to One mine is located in the little town of Alleghany, 40 miles from Nevada City, in Northern California. It has less than sixty residents. The town sits at an altitude of 4,500 feet. In 1885, the town was named by a group of miners...
