Ask The Experts—Highbanker legal in CA?; Best place to sell raw gold?
December 2010
Q: If a high banker is outfitted with a suction hose, is it considered a dredge in CA even if it is sitting on the ground? Also, how do I find the best places to sell raw gold (flour, pickers, nuggets, gold in quartz, etc.)?
Q: If a high banker is outfitted with a suction hose, is it considered a dredge in CA even if it is sitting on the ground? Also, how do I find the best places to sell raw gold (flour, pickers, nuggets, gold in quartz, etc.)?
Ask The Experts—Using classifiers
December 2010
Q: I would like to know how to use a classifier when I dump my gravel into my sluice box. I would also like to know what sizes classifiers come in. I know that they are in sizes like -3/4. What does the “minus” in the size mean? Thanks for any help you can give me.
Q: I would like to know how to use a classifier when I dump my gravel into my sluice box. I would also like to know what sizes classifiers come in. I know that they are in sizes like -3/4. What does the “minus” in the size mean? Thanks for any help you can give me.
So, Where's The Gold?—Finding Gold Detectors Miss
December 2010
We decided to run a detector over each piece. If we got a decent signal we placed the piece into a high-grade pile and the rest went into another pile to be worked on later. This high-grade pile wasn’t that large—maybe 25 pounds...
We decided to run a detector over each piece. If we got a decent signal we placed the piece into a high-grade pile and the rest went into another pile to be worked on later. This high-grade pile wasn’t that large—maybe 25 pounds...
Legislative and Regulatory Update
December 2010
• The good, the bad, and the ugly
• California and Oregon dredge permits
• The good, the bad, and the ugly
• California and Oregon dredge permits
The Oregon Claim
December 2010
When I started dredging a short distance downstream from that feature I realized that I was into a major paystreak and much of the gold was coming right out of the upper gravel. I could see the chunky pieces falling out of the gravel as they were pulled into...
When I started dredging a short distance downstream from that feature I realized that I was into a major paystreak and much of the gold was coming right out of the upper gravel. I could see the chunky pieces falling out of the gravel as they were pulled into...
Forest Service v. Michael & Linda Backlund
December 2010
On Tuesday morning, August 26, 2010, my clients Michael and Linda Backlund were forced to plead guilty to a charge of violating 36 CFR §261.10(b), which criminalizes maintaining a residence on Forest Service land without authorization “when such authorization is required.” This is a new regulation pursuant to which virtually anything, even a tent, is an unlawful “residence” unless authorized in advance.
On Tuesday morning, August 26, 2010, my clients Michael and Linda Backlund were forced to plead guilty to a charge of violating 36 CFR §261.10(b), which criminalizes maintaining a residence on Forest Service land without authorization “when such authorization is required.” This is a new regulation pursuant to which virtually anything, even a tent, is an unlawful “residence” unless authorized in advance.
Highbanking on the Feather River
December 2010
A number of visiting gold miners were quite impressed with our operation and the amount of gold we had recovered in only three hours. No one usually likes digging and slugging buckets all day long, but we actually began to enjoy it after a few good...
A number of visiting gold miners were quite impressed with our operation and the amount of gold we had recovered in only three hours. No one usually likes digging and slugging buckets all day long, but we actually began to enjoy it after a few good...
CFTC Finds Evidence of Silver Market Manipulation
December 2010
This is welcome news. Many silver market commentators have stated publicly that the price of silver, currently hovering around $23.50 per ounce, should be much higher due to the scarcity of supply and the lack of faith in fiat currencies such as the US Dollar.
This is welcome news. Many silver market commentators have stated publicly that the price of silver, currently hovering around $23.50 per ounce, should be much higher due to the scarcity of supply and the lack of faith in fiat currencies such as the US Dollar.
Gold in Arizona
December 2010
We began investigating mining districts in Arizona and nearby states within the Basin and Range province. Just like I anticipated, there are many overlooked gold and copper deposits and anomalies.
We began investigating mining districts in Arizona and nearby states within the Basin and Range province. Just like I anticipated, there are many overlooked gold and copper deposits and anomalies.
Detecting for Gold in Australia—The Kimberley Trip
December 2010
The hair stood up on the back of my neck when I saw this, especially the nice patches of wash in the bottoms of the gullies, a sure sign of an auriferous source being nearby.
The hair stood up on the back of my neck when I saw this, especially the nice patches of wash in the bottoms of the gullies, a sure sign of an auriferous source being nearby.
Know Your District
December 2010
We have to remember that the earliest miners were not geologists, but came from a variety of backgrounds. Their survival depended on finding enough gold so they worked hard and adapted to whatever challenges these new areas presented.
We have to remember that the earliest miners were not geologists, but came from a variety of backgrounds. Their survival depended on finding enough gold so they worked hard and adapted to whatever challenges these new areas presented.
Melman on Gold & Silver
December 2010
Much of the past 12 months, both in America and around the world, has been devoted to discussions of Keynesianism versus the Austrian School of economics; of the value versus risks of “Quantitative Easing,” of free markets versus government-dominated markets; and of the right of government to accede to unlimited demands on her resources, no matter the cost.
Much of the past 12 months, both in America and around the world, has been devoted to discussions of Keynesianism versus the Austrian School of economics; of the value versus risks of “Quantitative Easing,” of free markets versus government-dominated markets; and of the right of government to accede to unlimited demands on her resources, no matter the cost.
Mining Stock Quotes and Mineral & Metal Prices
December 2010
The Bawl Mill
November 2010
• Bogus science in California
• By the numbers
• Little noticed health care tax
• Bogus science in California
• By the numbers
• Little noticed health care tax
Legislative and Regulatory Update
November 2010
• PLP continues the fight for miners' rights
• Oregon miners fight back
• Bills address strategic minerals
• PLP continues the fight for miners' rights
• Oregon miners fight back
• Bills address strategic minerals
Undiscovered Placer Deposits in Alaska
November 2010
These conditions don’t just apply to Alaska and the Yukon; they apply to western Canada and even to the mountainous western United States.
These conditions don’t just apply to Alaska and the Yukon; they apply to western Canada and even to the mountainous western United States.
The Jenkins Mine Project, Conclusion—Recovery Operations & Summary
November 2010
This project taught me that you don’t need to be Albert Einstein to apply a little science to your prospecting. I learned that most of the science related to suction dredging is actually common sense. All we need to do is take the time to apply it.
This project taught me that you don’t need to be Albert Einstein to apply a little science to your prospecting. I learned that most of the science related to suction dredging is actually common sense. All we need to do is take the time to apply it.
Gold of Plumas County
November 2010
Plumas County has a rich heritage of gold mining, much of it from placer deposits that can still be searched and panned today. Being at the far northern end of California’s famed Mother Lode, it is quite often overlooked by those searching for gold today—really a well-kept secret after all of these years!
Plumas County has a rich heritage of gold mining, much of it from placer deposits that can still be searched and panned today. Being at the far northern end of California’s famed Mother Lode, it is quite often overlooked by those searching for gold today—really a well-kept secret after all of these years!
Recent Prospecting in Plumas County
November 2010
Plumas has been historically rich in gold because of its favorable geology. The Melones Fault trends north-south through the county and many rich gold-bearing districts lie along its course.
Plumas has been historically rich in gold because of its favorable geology. The Melones Fault trends north-south through the county and many rich gold-bearing districts lie along its course.
Prospecting for Nickel Deposits
November 2010
The periodic exploration efforts for nickel during periods of high prices have been sporadic and incomplete. There is a role for the prospector and geologist in searching laterites potentially rich in nickel and mafic igneous bodies that may be rich in nickel.
The periodic exploration efforts for nickel during periods of high prices have been sporadic and incomplete. There is a role for the prospector and geologist in searching laterites potentially rich in nickel and mafic igneous bodies that may be rich in nickel.
