Basic Geology for the Independent Miner—Part IV Geology of Hardrock Gold Deposits
April 2006
Geologic processes can either concentrate or disperse gold and other elements from adjacent rocks. It is the results of the concentration processes that the prospector is most interested in.
Geologic processes can either concentrate or disperse gold and other elements from adjacent rocks. It is the results of the concentration processes that the prospector is most interested in.
Economic Impact of Mining in Alaska
April 2006
The Alaska Miners Association recently released a report on the Economic Impact of Mining on Alaska. The numbers are impressive:
The Alaska Miners Association recently released a report on the Economic Impact of Mining on Alaska. The numbers are impressive:
The Kenai Peninsula Goldfields
April 2006
Half the prospecting adventures I’ve done on the Kenai Peninsula occurred in winter. Not because I enjoyed looking for gold among the ice flows or 34-degree water, but on some creeks winter is the best time to find gold after violent swirl holes slow down.
Half the prospecting adventures I’ve done on the Kenai Peninsula occurred in winter. Not because I enjoyed looking for gold among the ice flows or 34-degree water, but on some creeks winter is the best time to find gold after violent swirl holes slow down.
Copper Price Keeps Canadian Miners Busy
April 2006
The Canadian copper industry is benefiting from the current high metal prices, and exploration activity should remain high over the coming year as new mines are developed and continuous improvement programs increase efficiencies at existing operations.
The Canadian copper industry is benefiting from the current high metal prices, and exploration activity should remain high over the coming year as new mines are developed and continuous improvement programs increase efficiencies at existing operations.
The Business of Mining: Financial Recoveries for Mandated Changes
April 2006
True independence is rare among prospectors and miners. There is always someone or some agency that is telling the small-scale miner or prospector how to operate or requiring changes in their operations.
True independence is rare among prospectors and miners. There is always someone or some agency that is telling the small-scale miner or prospector how to operate or requiring changes in their operations.
Utilizing Geologic Maps
April 2006
Geologic maps generally appear complex and daunting, and certainly some are. However, many have information hidden within their bright splashes of colors and patterns that can aid the prospector who takes the time to study them.
Geologic maps generally appear complex and daunting, and certainly some are. However, many have information hidden within their bright splashes of colors and patterns that can aid the prospector who takes the time to study them.
The Rich Hill Outing
April 2006
Out in the western gold country, the traffic of electronic prospectors on the hills appears to be increasing at a rapid rate. While a lot of factors are contributing to this, probably the biggest force attracting these new folks is the continuing...
Out in the western gold country, the traffic of electronic prospectors on the hills appears to be increasing at a rapid rate. While a lot of factors are contributing to this, probably the biggest force attracting these new folks is the continuing...
Picks & Pans: Detecting at Ganes Creek
April 2006
My long and tedious trip started July 9, 2005, from Bradley International Airport in Connecticut on a flight to Atlanta. I changed planes and continued on to Anchorage, Alaska.
My long and tedious trip started July 9, 2005, from Bradley International Airport in Connecticut on a flight to Atlanta. I changed planes and continued on to Anchorage, Alaska.
Copper Mine Opening in Utah
April 2006
A second copper mine is opening in Utah with prices for the metal at their highest in a decade.
A second copper mine is opening in Utah with prices for the metal at their highest in a decade.
Future of Mining in Bolivia Uncertain
April 2006
The miners offer the still-beating hearts of four freshly-sacrificed llamas to a statue of the fiendish god “El Tio,” who they believe affords them protection and good luck.
The miners offer the still-beating hearts of four freshly-sacrificed llamas to a statue of the fiendish god “El Tio,” who they believe affords them protection and good luck.
Melman on Gold & Silver
April 2006
Last month we witnessed numerous news items that appear to confirm a new, and perhaps ominous, trend in America’s relationships with the rest of the world. We are referring to a visible increase in America’s vulnerability to foreign actions.
Last month we witnessed numerous news items that appear to confirm a new, and perhaps ominous, trend in America’s relationships with the rest of the world. We are referring to a visible increase in America’s vulnerability to foreign actions.
The Bawl Mill
May 2006
• A breath of fresh air?
• Ay Carumba!
• Principal pours it on a little too thick...
• A breath of fresh air?
• Ay Carumba!
• Principal pours it on a little too thick...
Legislative and Regulatory Update
May 2006
• Original Sixteen to One cleared
• Another court case settled
• Original Sixteen to One cleared
• Another court case settled
Basic Geology for the Independent Miner—Part V Geology of Hardrock Gold Deposits
May 2006
In this installment we will finish up our discussion of how primary hardrock gold deposits form. Understanding how rock alteration works can lead to some good ideas for exploring around old mining districts.
In this installment we will finish up our discussion of how primary hardrock gold deposits form. Understanding how rock alteration works can lead to some good ideas for exploring around old mining districts.
Orko Silver Corp.
May 2006
Perhaps the greatest single impression a visitor to the interior of Mexico is left with is the grinding poverty of the countryside. While there are pockets of apparent prosperity, most of the citizens appear to live in conditions of poor...
Perhaps the greatest single impression a visitor to the interior of Mexico is left with is the grinding poverty of the countryside. While there are pockets of apparent prosperity, most of the citizens appear to live in conditions of poor...
Miners Win Again in SREP vs. USFS
May 2006
It’s been three years since the Siskiyou Regional Education Project (SREP) filed a lawsuit against the Siskiyou National Forest (SNF) in an attempt to require a Plan of Operation and financial guarantee (bond) for all mining located in Riparian Reserves (in or near water).
It’s been three years since the Siskiyou Regional Education Project (SREP) filed a lawsuit against the Siskiyou National Forest (SNF) in an attempt to require a Plan of Operation and financial guarantee (bond) for all mining located in Riparian Reserves (in or near water).
The Willow Creek-Hatcher Pass Alaskan Goldfields
May 2006
Having spent 33 years prospecting off and on in this area, this writer has become very familiar with the region, its mines, the gold (hardrock and placer), wildlife, weather, topography, and history—it has been a friend to me.
Having spent 33 years prospecting off and on in this area, this writer has become very familiar with the region, its mines, the gold (hardrock and placer), wildlife, weather, topography, and history—it has been a friend to me.
Metal Detecting for Gold Within Andesite and Basaltic Volcanic Mining Districts
May 2006
Andesites and basalts are the most common volcanic rocks in the North American Cordillera. The andesites originated within the earth’s continental crust, while the basalts originated within the mantle. According to the Plate Tectonic theory...
Andesites and basalts are the most common volcanic rocks in the North American Cordillera. The andesites originated within the earth’s continental crust, while the basalts originated within the mantle. According to the Plate Tectonic theory...
How to Prospect for Silver Field Tests You Can Use to Detect the Hidden Metal
May 2006
Don’t bother eyeballing that rock for silver! Even if it’s high grade you’ll not see the familiar dime or quarter coin color. Native silver is almost as rare as brass ore. Well, if it’s so hard to find, is silver worth looking for? You bet! Just check the latest prices—and they may go higher.
Don’t bother eyeballing that rock for silver! Even if it’s high grade you’ll not see the familiar dime or quarter coin color. Native silver is almost as rare as brass ore. Well, if it’s so hard to find, is silver worth looking for? You bet! Just check the latest prices—and they may go higher.
Identifying the Noble Metals Simple Tests That Work
May 2006
Using a porcelain evaporating dish, place concentrates or head ore, equal to a tablespoon, in 60cc of aqua regia. Boil almost to dry, then add 10cc HCl (hydrochloric or muratic acid) and heat for a few minutes, and then add 30cc of water and bring to boil. Let cool while the solids are being allowed to settle. Using a pipette...
Using a porcelain evaporating dish, place concentrates or head ore, equal to a tablespoon, in 60cc of aqua regia. Boil almost to dry, then add 10cc HCl (hydrochloric or muratic acid) and heat for a few minutes, and then add 30cc of water and bring to boil. Let cool while the solids are being allowed to settle. Using a pipette...
