Ask the Experts—What is barite used for?
June 2007
Q: Could you inform me as to what “barite” is used for? Where can I locate a company that mines barite?
Q: Could you inform me as to what “barite” is used for? Where can I locate a company that mines barite?
Legislative and Regulatory Update
June 2007
• Assembly Bill 1032
• Forest Service tries to rewrite Mining Law
• California seeks comments from dredgers
• Support PLP efforts
• Assembly Bill 1032
• Forest Service tries to rewrite Mining Law
• California seeks comments from dredgers
• Support PLP efforts
Sulfides, Selenides and Tellurides
June 2007
The early day miners feared it, and it happened a lot more often than they would have liked: the easily worked rich surface ores they discovered gave way as they mined downward to a vein full of sulfides, base metals and other nasty, rebellious and...
The early day miners feared it, and it happened a lot more often than they would have liked: the easily worked rich surface ores they discovered gave way as they mined downward to a vein full of sulfides, base metals and other nasty, rebellious and...
Silver’s Shine is Back
June 2007
As a precious metal, silver doesn’t have the allure of gold. As an investment, it’s not as hip as Google. But dowdy old silver is suddenly chic. Silver prices are at their highest in more than 25 years, and mining companies are riding an economic boom.
As a precious metal, silver doesn’t have the allure of gold. As an investment, it’s not as hip as Google. But dowdy old silver is suddenly chic. Silver prices are at their highest in more than 25 years, and mining companies are riding an economic boom.
Rahall Looks to Rewrite 1872 Mining Law
June 2007
For over twenty years, Rahall has been introducing bills in an attempt to overhaul the 1872 Mining Law. On May 10, 2007, he introduced another bill, HR 2262, which would drastically change the laws governing mining if enacted. This time, his bill may have a chance.
For over twenty years, Rahall has been introducing bills in an attempt to overhaul the 1872 Mining Law. On May 10, 2007, he introduced another bill, HR 2262, which would drastically change the laws governing mining if enacted. This time, his bill may have a chance.
San Francisco Mint and US Gold Reserves
June 2007
In 1717, Sir Isaac Newton, Master of the British Mint, established a fixed price for gold that was equivalent to around US$20.00 per ounce. This price was for bullion gold, refined to a purity of twenty-two karats (.917 fine).
In 1717, Sir Isaac Newton, Master of the British Mint, established a fixed price for gold that was equivalent to around US$20.00 per ounce. This price was for bullion gold, refined to a purity of twenty-two karats (.917 fine).
Forest Service Attempts to Close Public Access
June 2007
The Forest Service is attempting to close off historic trails and roads throughout the western states, declaring the closures are part of a travel management project. They state their motivation is to control damage caused by off-highway-vehicles.
The Forest Service is attempting to close off historic trails and roads throughout the western states, declaring the closures are part of a travel management project. They state their motivation is to control damage caused by off-highway-vehicles.
Revisiting Commerce Resources—A Tantalum and Niobium Mining Project
June 2007
One of the most intriguing company articles we have written during the past few years was based on our late Spring 2005 visit to Commerce Resources’ tantalum and niobium project in the towering mountains of east-central British Columbia...
One of the most intriguing company articles we have written during the past few years was based on our late Spring 2005 visit to Commerce Resources’ tantalum and niobium project in the towering mountains of east-central British Columbia...
The Seventymile and American Creek Goldfields
June 2007
Author’s note: If you ever contemplate prospecting on the Seventymile River, beginning at the mouth, make sure your will is up to date, and you’ve said goodbye to loved ones. If the mosquitoes don’t get you on the way up, you’ll surely drown in the river or wear yourself out thrashing through the brush.
Author’s note: If you ever contemplate prospecting on the Seventymile River, beginning at the mouth, make sure your will is up to date, and you’ve said goodbye to loved ones. If the mosquitoes don’t get you on the way up, you’ll surely drown in the river or wear yourself out thrashing through the brush.
Melman on Gold & Silver
June 2007
Unfortunately, death seemed to occupy a major role in recent major headlines—and it came in several different directions.
Unfortunately, death seemed to occupy a major role in recent major headlines—and it came in several different directions.
The Bawl Mill
July 2007
• Large “gaap” in federal deficit
• Expensive voice mail, mate
• What next—the “straight” bomb?
• Orville Redenbacher banned from Seattle Justice Center?
• Can you hear me now?
• Large “gaap” in federal deficit
• Expensive voice mail, mate
• What next—the “straight” bomb?
• Orville Redenbacher banned from Seattle Justice Center?
• Can you hear me now?
Legislative and Regulatory Update
July 2007
• Assembly Bill 1032
• Cache County v. USFS
• CMA appeals cyanide ban
• Assembly Bill 1032
• Cache County v. USFS
• CMA appeals cyanide ban
Ask the Experts
July 2007
Q: Some of the terminology you use is way over my head and this might be the case for other beginning prospectors. What does “igneous” mean?
Q: Some of the terminology you use is way over my head and this might be the case for other beginning prospectors. What does “igneous” mean?
More Tips for Evaluating Ores
July 2007
Tabling and jigging are two relatively inexpensive methods for recovering the “free particle values” from the noble metal ores. However, not all ores contain their values as free particles. In fact, many ores contain appreciable amounts of “metallic salts” that readily dissolve in one’s system water and continue to migrate right along with this water.
Tabling and jigging are two relatively inexpensive methods for recovering the “free particle values” from the noble metal ores. However, not all ores contain their values as free particles. In fact, many ores contain appreciable amounts of “metallic salts” that readily dissolve in one’s system water and continue to migrate right along with this water.
The Mountain Gate Mine
July 2007
The Foresthill Divide in Placer County, California, has underneath its present surface a multitude of buried river channels, most of which paid enormously well in the Gold Rush years of 1850 to 1890.
The Foresthill Divide in Placer County, California, has underneath its present surface a multitude of buried river channels, most of which paid enormously well in the Gold Rush years of 1850 to 1890.
The Basics of Small-Scale Heap Leaching with Cyanide Part I—History, Suitablility and Permitting
July 2007
Hardrock mining is usually done on a large scale, and although a few small-scale hardrock operations still exist, it’s not an easy operation to start up and run profitably.
Hardrock mining is usually done on a large scale, and although a few small-scale hardrock operations still exist, it’s not an easy operation to start up and run profitably.
Oregon Suction Dredge Permit Update
July 2007
On May 29, 2007, the Eastern Oregon Mining Association (EOMA) filed their Opening Brief in the Oregon Court of Appeals against the Oregon Dept. of Environmental Quality (DEQ).
On May 29, 2007, the Eastern Oregon Mining Association (EOMA) filed their Opening Brief in the Oregon Court of Appeals against the Oregon Dept. of Environmental Quality (DEQ).
In Pursuit of Gold and Silver in the Sierra Madres—Buying the Pilot Mill
July 2007
In 2005, my wife and I, along with our supervisor Horacio, made numerous business and supply trips from Arivechi, Sonora, to the capital of Sonora, Hermosillo. This is a distance of 135 miles along a very narrow paved mountain road.
In 2005, my wife and I, along with our supervisor Horacio, made numerous business and supply trips from Arivechi, Sonora, to the capital of Sonora, Hermosillo. This is a distance of 135 miles along a very narrow paved mountain road.
Life in the Alaska Gold Rush
July 2007
The discovery of gold in the Klondike in August 1896 brought a rush that became a bonanza for a few, and hardship and disaster for many. The remoteness of the discovery site, and the extremely harsh climate made the effort to recover gold foolhardy for all but the most prepared.
The discovery of gold in the Klondike in August 1896 brought a rush that became a bonanza for a few, and hardship and disaster for many. The remoteness of the discovery site, and the extremely harsh climate made the effort to recover gold foolhardy for all but the most prepared.
More Small-Scale Miners Attracted by Gold Prices
July 2007
With gold hovering above $650 an ounce, interest in panning and prospecting for the pricey precious metal in northern Idaho’s icy streams and on its rugged mountainsides has enjoyed a mini-boom.
With gold hovering above $650 an ounce, interest in panning and prospecting for the pricey precious metal in northern Idaho’s icy streams and on its rugged mountainsides has enjoyed a mini-boom.











