Sampling Mineral Deposits
March 2007
The accurate sampling of mineral deposits for testing and analysis is perhaps the most important step involved in both mineral exploration and development. It is a critical factor in initial prospecting efforts and the preliminary investigation of grassroots exploration projects, yet sampling is often performed in a haphazard and incomplete fashion during the early stages of prospecting and exploration activities.
The accurate sampling of mineral deposits for testing and analysis is perhaps the most important step involved in both mineral exploration and development. It is a critical factor in initial prospecting efforts and the preliminary investigation of grassroots exploration projects, yet sampling is often performed in a haphazard and incomplete fashion during the early stages of prospecting and exploration activities.
In Pursuit of Gold and Silver in the Sierra Madres—Purchasing Land in Mexico
March 2007
My wife and I spent three years laying the groundwork to build a processing mill for gold, silver, lead and some zinc in the Sierra Madre Mountains of Northern Mexico, in the state of Sonora. In this installment, I describe how we purchased the land to build the new mill.
My wife and I spent three years laying the groundwork to build a processing mill for gold, silver, lead and some zinc in the Sierra Madre Mountains of Northern Mexico, in the state of Sonora. In this installment, I describe how we purchased the land to build the new mill.
Swiss Mining Company Demands Compensation From Bolivia
March 2007
Glencore International AG demanded compensation from Bolivia’s government for nationalizing a tin smelter owned by the Swiss mining company.
Glencore International AG demanded compensation from Bolivia’s government for nationalizing a tin smelter owned by the Swiss mining company.
Canadian Mint to Unveil $1 Million Coin
March 2007
The Royal Canadian Mint will soon unveil a gold coin worth one million Canadian dollars ($850,000 US).
The Royal Canadian Mint will soon unveil a gold coin worth one million Canadian dollars ($850,000 US).
Woman Gets 90 Months in Mining Fraud Case
March 2007
A Nevada woman was sentenced to more than seven years in federal prison for her role in an investment scheme involving claims that she could extract precious metals from volcanic cinders, officials said.
A Nevada woman was sentenced to more than seven years in federal prison for her role in an investment scheme involving claims that she could extract precious metals from volcanic cinders, officials said.
Melman on Gold & Silver
March 2007
What a month! It seemed as if one headline after another dwelled on one, and only one subject, that of the environmentalists’ concern over “global warming.” Politicians changed directions, mass demonstrations were held, Al Gore moved to the top of the media hit parade, and lawmakers were warming up to the task of revolutionizing our lives with torrents of new laws, regulations and policies.
What a month! It seemed as if one headline after another dwelled on one, and only one subject, that of the environmentalists’ concern over “global warming.” Politicians changed directions, mass demonstrations were held, Al Gore moved to the top of the media hit parade, and lawmakers were warming up to the task of revolutionizing our lives with torrents of new laws, regulations and policies.
The Bawl Mill
April 2007
• It’s time for a change
• No such thing as a free lunch
• Cold weather interrupts global warming expedition
• It’s time for a change
• No such thing as a free lunch
• Cold weather interrupts global warming expedition
Ask the Experts—How do I remove gold from black sands?
April 2007
Q: I’m a fairly new dredger. I was told that the black sands contain fine gold that is tough to see and recover, so I have been saving the black sands when I do my clean up. What method should I use to get the gold out?
Q: I’m a fairly new dredger. I was told that the black sands contain fine gold that is tough to see and recover, so I have been saving the black sands when I do my clean up. What method should I use to get the gold out?
Legislative and Regulatory Update
April 2007
• Comments needed
• California tries another route to restrict miners and dredgers
• Comments needed
• California tries another route to restrict miners and dredgers
Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (P.L. 90-542, as Amended)
April 2007
Just about all of us have heard the term “Wild and Scenic Rivers,” and we’ve likely been on one or several of them in our prospecting ventures. More than once someone has said to me “...but that’s a wild and scenic river.” My first question has always been, “What part of the system is it? Is it classified wild, scenic or recreational?”
Just about all of us have heard the term “Wild and Scenic Rivers,” and we’ve likely been on one or several of them in our prospecting ventures. More than once someone has said to me “...but that’s a wild and scenic river.” My first question has always been, “What part of the system is it? Is it classified wild, scenic or recreational?”
Platinum Placers and Nuggets
April 2007
Sometimes a placer miner will find small bits and nuggets of metal associated with gold and other heavy minerals in his concentrates, which exhibits a silver-gray color rather than the normal tones of gold.
Sometimes a placer miner will find small bits and nuggets of metal associated with gold and other heavy minerals in his concentrates, which exhibits a silver-gray color rather than the normal tones of gold.
In Pursuit of Gold & Silver in the Sierra Madres—The Tejeda Mines
April 2007
One of our claims, “concessions” in Spanish, lies atop a mountain approximately 15 miles Southwest of our Pueblo. It is reached by a dirt track that starts in Arivechi. We leave the Pueblo and drive up...
One of our claims, “concessions” in Spanish, lies atop a mountain approximately 15 miles Southwest of our Pueblo. It is reached by a dirt track that starts in Arivechi. We leave the Pueblo and drive up...
The Business of Mining—Family Mining Business Tax Savings
April 2007
There has been much said and written about nepotism, especially in government and business. There is, however, no written rule that would prevent any miner or prospector from hiring a spouse, children or other family members in the prospecting, mining or dredging business. There may even be tax advantages associated with that nepotism.
There has been much said and written about nepotism, especially in government and business. There is, however, no written rule that would prevent any miner or prospector from hiring a spouse, children or other family members in the prospecting, mining or dredging business. There may even be tax advantages associated with that nepotism.
Successful Nugget Hunting
April 2007
Then it appeared. A 64-inch rack on the giant moose silhouetted against the sun. Bernie had waited for the large creature to come out into the open. He raised his bolt action Remington .338, took aim, and pulled the trigger.
Then it appeared. A 64-inch rack on the giant moose silhouetted against the sun. Bernie had waited for the large creature to come out into the open. He raised his bolt action Remington .338, took aim, and pulled the trigger.
Oregon Miners Update
April 2007
The Siskiyou Regional Education Project (SREP) v. Siskiyou National Forest case over the requirement for plans of operation for suction dredge mining is now in the hands of the US Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
The Siskiyou Regional Education Project (SREP) v. Siskiyou National Forest case over the requirement for plans of operation for suction dredge mining is now in the hands of the US Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
The Prevleator
April 2007
.jpg)
Most developmental ideas grow from the reluctance of some individual to participate in hard work, so I can only say that I must think better in a reclining position.
Most developmental ideas grow from the reluctance of some individual to participate in hard work, so I can only say that I must think better in a reclining position.
Mining Boom Is Back In Northern Nevada
April 2007
At the Gold Quarry open-pit mine, a massive electric shovel scoops 40 tons of earth in a single bite and dumps it into a 325,000-pound truck the size of a two-story house.
At the Gold Quarry open-pit mine, a massive electric shovel scoops 40 tons of earth in a single bite and dumps it into a 325,000-pound truck the size of a two-story house.
Lease Issued For Potential Mine Near Mount St. Helens
April 2007
A hardrock minerals lease and environmental assessment issued recently give Idaho General Mines the right to apply to explore property near 5,400-foot Goat Mountain, north and east of the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument.
A hardrock minerals lease and environmental assessment issued recently give Idaho General Mines the right to apply to explore property near 5,400-foot Goat Mountain, north and east of the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument.
Melman on Gold & Silver
April 2007
Keeping track of the news during the past month was like watching the later rounds of a boxing match, the part where the light jabs and the “feeling out” of the opponent were passed and the heavy hitting begins, because last month we were hit with several powerful stories affecting our markets.
Keeping track of the news during the past month was like watching the later rounds of a boxing match, the part where the light jabs and the “feeling out” of the opponent were passed and the heavy hitting begins, because last month we were hit with several powerful stories affecting our markets.
The Bawl Mill
May 2007
• Trash full of cash
• Auditors audit the auditors
• I smell bacon
• Trash full of cash
• Auditors audit the auditors
• I smell bacon
