Ask the Experts—Where can I find plans for a home-built suction dredge?
May 2007
Q: Years ago I had plans for building a home-built suction dredge called the Spartan dredge. I really loved that dredge. I now have a 12-year-old son who wants to start mining. We wanted to build our own at home but I’ve lost the plans.
Q: Years ago I had plans for building a home-built suction dredge called the Spartan dredge. I really loved that dredge. I now have a 12-year-old son who wants to start mining. We wanted to build our own at home but I’ve lost the plans.
Legislative and Regulatory Update
May 2007
• Endangered Species Act update
• California Fish & Game tries yet another route to stop gold dredgers
• Endangered Species Act update
• California Fish & Game tries yet another route to stop gold dredgers
The Bawl Mill
February 2008
• The third time is a charm
• Haunted by his past...
• This call will (not) be monitored for security purposes...
• The third time is a charm
• Haunted by his past...
• This call will (not) be monitored for security purposes...
Legislative And Regulatory Update
February 2008
• Bill introduced to repeal RAT
• Rock Creek — Alaska
• Rock Creek — Montana
• Bill introduced to repeal RAT
• Rock Creek — Alaska
• Rock Creek — Montana
Recovering Values from Black Sands
May 2007
Every placer miner has to deal with it in one form or another, and some locations have it far worse than others, but nearly every placer has at least some of it: black sand. It collects in our concentrates and gets in the way of recovering our fine gold.
Every placer miner has to deal with it in one form or another, and some locations have it far worse than others, but nearly every placer has at least some of it: black sand. It collects in our concentrates and gets in the way of recovering our fine gold.
Typhoon Exploration—Junior Mining Company Moves Forward in Quebec
May 2007
One of the mining world’s oldest sayings is, “If you want to find a new mine, look near an existing one.” Few areas have had a more prolific mining history and more present activity than the region of southwest Quebec...
One of the mining world’s oldest sayings is, “If you want to find a new mine, look near an existing one.” Few areas have had a more prolific mining history and more present activity than the region of southwest Quebec...
Kalgoorlie, Australia—Born of Gold
May 2007
In June 1893, a wiry Irish prospector by the name of Paddy Hannon was prospecting the harsh, dry country east of Coolgardie in Western Australia. It was country that could suck the moisture from a man’s body in days...
In June 1893, a wiry Irish prospector by the name of Paddy Hannon was prospecting the harsh, dry country east of Coolgardie in Western Australia. It was country that could suck the moisture from a man’s body in days...
Colorado Court Rules on Cyanide Ban
May 2007
The Colorado state Court of Appeals ruled that counties have the authority to ban the use of cyanide in gold mining.
The Colorado state Court of Appeals ruled that counties have the authority to ban the use of cyanide in gold mining.
Selling Your Gold—Where To Start
May 2007
I don’t know of any miner or prospector who really wants to sell their gold. But the income might be needed to keep the mine going, buy new equipment, take a vacation or put food on the table. Whatever the reason, where does a person start?
I don’t know of any miner or prospector who really wants to sell their gold. But the income might be needed to keep the mine going, buy new equipment, take a vacation or put food on the table. Whatever the reason, where does a person start?
The Business of Mines—Consider Your Tax Deductions Now
May 2007
Uncle Sam, the not-so-silent partner of every miner, dredger and prospector is willing, using our tax laws, to help reduce out-of-pocket expenditures necessary to acquire business assets and property. In addition to the well-known depreciation deduction, however, the tax laws permit tax write-offs for other, less tangible business assets. The best time to explore and lock-in many of these overlooked and misunderstood deductions is now, well before the end of the tax year.
Uncle Sam, the not-so-silent partner of every miner, dredger and prospector is willing, using our tax laws, to help reduce out-of-pocket expenditures necessary to acquire business assets and property. In addition to the well-known depreciation deduction, however, the tax laws permit tax write-offs for other, less tangible business assets. The best time to explore and lock-in many of these overlooked and misunderstood deductions is now, well before the end of the tax year.
Exploration, Development and Taxes
May 2007
Further demonstrating the importance of seeking professional assistance and advice are the tax rules governing the expenses of a mining company. The tax treatment of mine exploration and mine development costs is confusing, complex and often overlooked or ignored—except by the ever-vigilant Internal Revenue Service.
Further demonstrating the importance of seeking professional assistance and advice are the tax rules governing the expenses of a mining company. The tax treatment of mine exploration and mine development costs is confusing, complex and often overlooked or ignored—except by the ever-vigilant Internal Revenue Service.
US v. Donald Eno—IBLA Rules in Favor of Miner
May 2007
Don Eno, a long-time member and supporter of Public Lands for the People, won his case in front of the Interior Board of Land Appeals (IBLA), defeating the Forest Service’s attempt to prevent him from mining on his placer claim.
Don Eno, a long-time member and supporter of Public Lands for the People, won his case in front of the Interior Board of Land Appeals (IBLA), defeating the Forest Service’s attempt to prevent him from mining on his placer claim.
Miners Clean Washington Rivers and Streams
May 2007
The Washington Department of Health has issued several warnings about mercury contamination in fish and shellfish. The small-scale mining community is the only group that is actively removing mercury and lead from the waterways of the State of Washington using the only economically feasible method available—with suction dredges and other small-scale mining equipment.
The Washington Department of Health has issued several warnings about mercury contamination in fish and shellfish. The small-scale mining community is the only group that is actively removing mercury and lead from the waterways of the State of Washington using the only economically feasible method available—with suction dredges and other small-scale mining equipment.
Melman on Gold & Silver
May 2007
It seems like we cannot get away from the major themes as each month we continue to receive important news on the same general categories such as housing, global warming, Iran, weakness in the US Dollar, etc. Unfortunately, if variety happens to be your cup of tea, the same categories have dominated the news once again.
It seems like we cannot get away from the major themes as each month we continue to receive important news on the same general categories such as housing, global warming, Iran, weakness in the US Dollar, etc. Unfortunately, if variety happens to be your cup of tea, the same categories have dominated the news once again.
Gold Deposits of North Carolina
February 2008
North Carolina was the site of the first well documented discovery of gold in the United States, which occurred in 1799. Not many years later, when the importance of this find was realized, gold miners came to seek their fortunes.
North Carolina was the site of the first well documented discovery of gold in the United States, which occurred in 1799. Not many years later, when the importance of this find was realized, gold miners came to seek their fortunes.
Turning Waste Rock Into Profit
February 2008
When others saw piles of waste rock at the former LTV Steel Mining property, Brad Gerlach saw opportunity.
When others saw piles of waste rock at the former LTV Steel Mining property, Brad Gerlach saw opportunity.
Dredging the Mokelumne
February 2008
Gold mining adventures can begin in the most unusual fashion. This one started when the high water receding in May of 1999 disclosed that a tragedy had occurred somewhere upstream of Slaughterhouse Gulch on the north fork of the...
Gold mining adventures can begin in the most unusual fashion. This one started when the high water receding in May of 1999 disclosed that a tragedy had occurred somewhere upstream of Slaughterhouse Gulch on the north fork of the...
How to Get Started as a Gold Prospector
February 2008
The surging price of gold is attracting a whole new generation of prospectors who are looking to find a bit of natural gold out in the hills. It’s certainly a lot different than it was six or eight years ago when gold was stuck below $300 per ounce.
The surging price of gold is attracting a whole new generation of prospectors who are looking to find a bit of natural gold out in the hills. It’s certainly a lot different than it was six or eight years ago when gold was stuck below $300 per ounce.
Sunshine Mine is Up and Running Again
February 2008
Sterling Mining Company has resumed initial production at the Sunshine Mine in Idaho. The company anticipates a steady increase in production over the next three years until an average daily processing rate of 1,000 tons per day is achieved.
Sterling Mining Company has resumed initial production at the Sunshine Mine in Idaho. The company anticipates a steady increase in production over the next three years until an average daily processing rate of 1,000 tons per day is achieved.
Gold at Ponderosa
February 2008
The winter cold and snow bring with it an entirely different approach to prospecting and mining. Northern California was buried with a ferocious storm in late December and early January that knocked out power for many small towns and buried the...
The winter cold and snow bring with it an entirely different approach to prospecting and mining. Northern California was buried with a ferocious storm in late December and early January that knocked out power for many small towns and buried the...
